WASHINGTON – The US will send about $225 million in military aid to Ukraine, US officials said, in a new package that includes ammunition Kyiv´s forces could use to strike threats inside Russia to defend the city of Kharkiv.
The officials said the aid includes munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, as well as mortar systems and an array of artillery rounds. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss aid not yet publicly announced.
Under a new US directive, Ukraine can use such weapons to strike across the border into Russia if forces there are attacking or preparing to attack, AP reported.
That change, however, does not alter US policy that directs Ukraine not to use American-provided ATACMS or long-range missiles and other munitions to strike offensively inside Russia, according to US officials.
The new aid package comes as President Joe Biden used his speech at the American cemetery in Normandy on the 80th anniversary of D-Day to vow that the US “will not walk away” from the defense of Ukraine and allow Russia to threaten more of Europe. To do so, he said, would mean the US has forgotten “what happened here on these hallowed beaches.”
The new aid package is being provided through presidential drawdown authority, which pulls systems and munitions from existing U.S. stockpiles so they can go quickly to the war front.
Officials said the aid package also includes missiles for the HAWK air defense system, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems, 155mm Howitzers, armored vehicles, trailers, patrol boats, demolition materials and a wide range of other spare parts and equipment.
