Biden says Congress 'must step up' after Russia launches largest wave of strikes on Ukraine

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden implored lawmakers Friday to "step up" and provide Ukraine with additional military aid after Russia launched an unprecedented wave of strikes across the country.

"In the face of this brutal attack, Ukraine deployed the air defense systems that the United States and our Allies and partners have delivered to Ukraine over the past year to successfully intercept and destroy many of the missiles and drones. The American people can be proud of the lives we have helped to save," Biden said in a statement.

"But unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, we will not be able to continue sending the weapons and vital air defense systems Ukraine needs to protect its people. Congress must step up and act without any further delay," he added.

Biden rolled out Wednesday the final military aid package for Ukraine under funds already appropriated by Congress. The $250 million tranche included air defense arms, long-range rocket and other artillery ammunition, anti-armor munitions and over 15 million small arms rounds.

The US has sent Ukraine roughly $44.3 billion in military aid since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The ensuing war has cost thousands of lives, and led to widespread destruction in Ukraine estimated to total billions of dollars.

The president requested in October that Congress supply an additional $61.4 billion in new funding to continue arms shipment for Kyiv, including by replacing arms sent directly from US stocks.

Ukraine reported Friday that Russia carried out nearly 160 overnight strikes across the eastern European country that included at least one hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile, and drones. Of the 158 attacks that targeted critical infrastructure and military facilities, 114 were intercepted, Kyiv said.

At least 23 civilians were killed and 134 were injured, while rescue operations are still underway, according to Ukrainian authorities.