According to a senior defense official, the Pentagon will supply two medium-range air defence systems to Ukraine. However, it is possible that the contracting process could take several weeks or even months.
The $820 million latest round of aid to Ukraine provides assistance through a drawdown in current Defense Department stocks as well as through Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative Fund, (USAI), which contracts weapons for the Pentagon to send to Ukraine.
The USAI package includes two National Advanced Surface to Air Missile Systems. The medium-range air defense system, the NASAMS, can shoot down cruise missiles or aircraft. They are also deployed around Washington, D.C. to protect the capital.
As the battle in the Donbas continues, the announcement was made. Recent progress has been made by the Russians. They hold Severodonetsk now and are fighting for Lysychansk. However, a Russian official stated Friday that Russia “pays such a high price” for small gains in territory.
Official said that the Ukrainians were able to use the first High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, (HIMARS), effectively against Russian command post commands. Friday’s aid package included $50 million in ammunition from Defense Department stocks.
Since February, when Russia invaded Ukraine, more than $6.9 million has been provided by the U.S. to Ukraine.
