After the approval of new aid by the US Congress, Washington wants to deliver more weapons to Kiev. Meanwhile, Russia is apparently increasingly targeting Ukraine’s railway infrastructure.
The US government has promised Ukraine a new aid package for the long-term supply of weapons. The US wants to provide Kiev with additional weapons and support worth six billion US dollars (5.6 billion euros) to defend against Russia’s war of aggression, said US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
This includes, among other things, artillery ammunition as well as drone defense and additional missiles for the “Patriot” air defense systems. The planned package also includes additional missiles for the NASAMS air defense system. In addition, Ukraine is to receive additional equipment to integrate Western-made anti-aircraft systems, missiles and radar systems into the existing Ukrainian weapons arsenal, many of which date back to the Soviet era.
According to Austin, deliveries depend on the pace of the industry
According to previous information, contracts are to be awarded to American defense companies to build new equipment for Ukraine as part of a US financing program for Ukraine. This means it could take several months to years for the weapons to be delivered.
Austin said deliveries depend on the pace of the industry. This will vary depending on the weapon system. At the same time, the government will do everything to speed it up – and the Ukrainian leadership is confident that it can hold out long enough. With the new opportunities, Ukraine will then be stronger.
“We will not falter”
Austin spoke at the conclusion of a virtual meeting of the U.S.-led contact group on support for Ukraine. “We will not falter,” emphasized the defense minister, referring to US support for Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia more than two years ago. If Russian President Vladimir Putin wins, “the security consequences will be severe and global,” Austin said.
At the meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urgently asked for the delivery of “Patriot” missiles. These are needed to build a protective shield against further Russian missile attacks, he said.
During the meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group, Spain also announced that it would supply missiles for the “Patriot” systems in Ukraine. A statement from the Spanish Ministry of Defense also said that ammunition, medicine and first aid kits were on their way to Ukraine. It remained unclear how many missiles would be sent, as well as whether the delivery would include complete “Patriot” systems. Spanish media reported that Madrid would only send four missiles.
US Congress has approved new aid
After months of domestic political impasse, the US Congress approved new aid worth around $61 billion for Kiev in the middle of the week – thereby clearing the way for new arms deliveries. This was preceded by months of arguments between Democrats and Republicans, while the aid approved so far was almost used up.
US President Joe Biden announced an immediate new $1 billion military package immediately after signing the law passed by Congress. These were primarily anti-aircraft equipment, artillery, missile systems and armored vehicles from the US military’s inventory. This means that this equipment will be delivered quickly to Ukraine – some of it is stored at US bases in Europe.
Scholz calls on allies for further support
At a meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Berlin, Chancellor Olaf Scholz once again welcomed the US Congress’ decision. In this context, he repeatedly called on European allies to increase their commitment to strengthening Ukraine’s air defense. “It’s about us continuing to do what’s necessary,” he said.
At a joint press conference with Stoltenberg, Scholz also referred to the delivery of a third “Patriot” system announced by the federal government: “I would like to take this opportunity to ask our European friends to take another look at their inventory to see if there is something wrong “You can do something in this regard to support Ukraine’s air defense.”
The Chancellor emphasized that Ukraine is about defending the European security architecture, which Russia is endangering with its war of aggression. The country has broken the decades-long understanding that borders will not be moved by force. “We will support Ukraine for as long as it is necessary,” Scholz further made it clear. He emphasized that Germany is the country in Europe that has made and is making the most contributions to this, including in the supply of weapons and ammunition.
Stoltenberg also called the delivery of the additional “Patriot” system to Ukraine “an example that the other allies should follow.” He welcomed additional arms deliveries, as announced by Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands and other countries.
Russia takes Ukrainian Railway infrastructure targeted
Apparently in order to torpedo the supply of weapons to Ukraine, the Russian armed forces have recently increased their number of attacks on the country’s railway infrastructure. The Ukrainian railway company Ukrzalisnytsya said three of its employees were killed and four others injured in a Russian attack in the region. Ukrzalisnytsia said 10 civilians were injured in a Russian attack on railway facilities in Balakliya in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine.
The Defense Ministry in Moscow said Russian forces used rockets and artillery to hit “Western weapons and military equipment” that were being transported by train in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the train was hit near the town of Udachne. Railway facilities in the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine were also targeted.
According to Ukrainian assessments, Russia may be preparing a new offensive with the attacks. The attacks were aimed at destroying railway facilities and “paralyzing deliveries and movements of military supplies,” including Western military aid, Ukrainian security sources said. The attacks were “classic measures before an offensive,” said a high-ranking representative of the Ukrainian security apparatus.