Monitoring Desk
WASHINGTON: The United States (US) has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $2.2bn (£1.83bn), including long-range missiles capable of doubling its attack range.
It brings the total military aid given to Ukraine to over $29.3bn (£24.31bn) since February 2022.
The aid package includes ground-launched small-diameter bombs (GLSDB), which can hit targets 93 miles (150km) away.
However, US officials refused to comment that the munitions could be used to attack the annexed Crimea region.
“When it comes to Ukrainian plans on military operations, clearly that is their decision,” Pentagon spokesman Brig Gen Pat Ryder told reporters.
“This gives Ukrainian forces a longer-range capability, long-range fires capability, that will enable them to conduct operations in defence of their country and regain their sovereign territory, Russian-occupied areas.”
Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and considered it part of its territory. However, it has come under sporadic fire from Ukrainian troops in recent months.
Western countries have repeatedly ruled out providing Kyiv with offensive weapons – including fighter jets – which it could use against Russia.
Zelensky thanks US for military aid
In a tweet, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appreciated the United States and President Joe Biden for the additional military aid.
“The more long-range our weapons are, as well as the more mobile our forces are, the sooner brutal aggression of Russia will end,” Zelensky wrote. “Together with the United States, we stand against terror.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky has long urged Western countries to provide his troops with artillery capable of firing over greater distances.
The new package – which will include additional Himars missiles and 250 Javelin anti-armor systems – comes amid mounting concerns that the West has been too slow to provide further military aid to Ukraine.
