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The Biden administration will provide approximately $1.1 billion in additional security assistance for Ukraine as part of its commitment to support the country’s long-term defense needs amid its war with Russia, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced on Sept. 28.
The latest package is being provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which does not pull weapons directly from U.S. stockpiles but instead funds contracts to purchase weapons and equipment through the private sector.
It brings the total amount of American aid to Ukraine to over $16.2 billion since the Russian invasion began in February. Since Biden took office in January 2021, the United States has committed approximately $16.9 billion in security assistance to Ukraine. Prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, the United States had committed around $1.8 billion in weapons and military training to Ukraine.
DOD said the assistance will fund 18 of the High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems or HIMARS, which have a range of about 40 miles and can strike faraway targets with greater accuracy. Officials say HIMARS have played a key role in Ukraine’s successes against Russia in recent weeks. The funding also covers ammunition for them.
Elsewhere, it will fund 150 Humvees and 150 tactical vehicles needed to tow heavy weapons, 40 trucks and 80 trailers used to transport heavy equipment; two radars for unmanned aerial systems; 20 multi-mission radars; counter-unmanned aerial systems; tactical secure communications systems, surveillance systems, and optics; explosive ordnance disposal equipment.
It will also provide the funding needed for body armor and other field equipment, training, maintenance, and sustainment.
In a statement announcing the latest round of funding, the pentagon said: “Together with our Allies and partners, our unified efforts will help Ukraine continue to be successful today while building the enduring strength of Ukraine’s forces to ensure the continued freedom and independence of the Ukrainian people.”
The announcement regarding the latest round of funding comes after referendums were held in four occupied regions of Ukraine: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, to decide if residents in those regions want to become part of Russia.
This is an excerpt from The Epoch Times.
