US announces $100M in additional military assistance for Ukraine

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday he has authorized $100 million in additional military assistance to Ukraine, where Russia's war nears its third month.

"For nearly 12 weeks, Russia has waged its unprovoked and brutal war against Ukraine, its sovereignty, its territorial integrity, and its people," Blinken said in a statement.

"The United States, as well as more than 40 Allies and partner countries, are working around the clock to expedite shipments of arms and equipment essential to Ukraine’s defense," he added.

The latest aid package brings total US military assistance to Ukraine to approximately $3.9 billion in arms and equipment since the war began Feb. 24. In total, the administration of US President Jo Biden allocated $4.6 billion in security assistance to Ukraine.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the authorization is the tenth drawdown of equipment from Pentagon inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.

The package includes 18 Howitzers, 18 tactical vehicles to tow Howitzers, three AN/TPQ-36 counter-artillery radars and field equipment and spare parts.