Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the 25th drawdown of U.S. arms and equipment for Ukraine since August 2021.
The latest $400 million brings the total U.S. military assistance to Ukraine to $19.3 billion since the beginning of the Biden administration, according to a Nov. 10 news release.
“Pursuant to a delegation of authority from the president, today I am authorizing our 25th drawdown of U.S. arms and equipment for Ukraine since August 2021. This $400 million drawdown includes additional arms, munitions and equipment from U.S. Department of Defense inventories,” Blinken said in the release. “The United States will continue to stand with more than 40 allies and partners in support of the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and independence with extraordinary courage and boundless determination.”
Blinken called it an “unprecedented level” of military assistance in the release.
“The air defense, long-range and precision fire capabilities that we are providing are carefully calibrated to best serve Ukraine on the battlefield as it makes gains from Kherson to Kharkiv,” he said in the release. “We will continue to support Ukraine so it can defend itself and be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table when the time comes. We stand united with Ukraine.”
Equipment being sent continues a focus on air defense. Brutal air attacks on Ukrainian critical infrastructure make additional air defense capabilities critical, the Department of Defense said in a release.
Additional missiles for Ukraine’s HAWK air defense systems as well as four Avenger air defense systems and Stinger missiles will be included in the equipment, the Defense release reported. Additionally, the Defense Department will be restocking 155 mm artillery rounds, 120 mm mortar rounds and small arms ammunition. The military aid also includes cold weather protective gear.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced $25 million in funding for Ukraine to use in “winterization planning” while visiting Kyiv Nov. 8. Thomas-Greenfield said the USAID funds would provide aid to nearly 75,000 of the most affected households, according to a United States Mission to the United Nations news release. The ambassador said ensuring Ukraine is prepared for the harsh winter ahead was one of her three key priorities while visiting the country.
