US announces new $150 million military aid package for Ukraine

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US on Thursday announced a new $150 million military aid package for Ukraine to bolster Kyiv's ongoing counteroffensive that seeks to oust Russia from occupied territories.

The latest tranche includes additional air defense weapons, artillery ammunition, and anti-tank weapons, the Pentagon said in a statement. It specifically includes National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) ammunition, AIM-9M air defense missiles, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and more High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) ammunition.

Additional 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles, Javelin anti-armor weapons, over 2 million small arms rounds, night vision gear, and other equipment are also included.

"Ukraine’s forces are fighting bravely to reclaim territory seized by Russia’s forces, and this additional support will help them continue making progress," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a separate statement.

"Russia started this war and could end it at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and stopping its brutal attacks, which continue to take the lives of innocent people. Until it does, the United States and the coalition we have built of more than 50 nations will continue to stand with Ukraine, and we will continue to work with Congress to help Ukraine secure its future," he added.