The Biden administration has allotted munitions and other critical equipment worth $200 million to aid Ukraine in its battle against Russia’s invasion.
According to the Department of Defense, the additional security assistance package will include Patriot air defense systems and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems munitions.
Biden has committed over $43 billion in security assistance to the Eastern European nation since invading Russian forces began arriving in its territory in 2022. So far, the U.S. has sent Ukraine thousands of Javelin anti-tank and Stinger anti-aircraft systems and 2 million artillery rounds.
“Russia started this war and could end it at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and stopping its brutal attacks,” State Secretary Antony Blinken, a Wash100 Award recipient in 2021, said in a statement. “Until it does, the United States and our allies and partners will stand united with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
Douglas Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, assured the public that DOD’s provisions to Ukraine will not affect the training and readiness of American troops.
According to the official, the U.S. produces 24,000 artillery rounds per month and is on track to quadruple the manufacturing capability by 2024.