“Progress in the ongoing counter-offensive has accelerated in recent weeks and this new aid will help give it new momentum,” he told a press conference alongside his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kouleba. .
In addition to anti-tank ammunition, it includes in particular $300 million for Civil Security in liberated areas, $206 million in humanitarian aid, $200 million to support local institutions, $90 million for mine clearance and $100 million to fund future purchases. military equipment. The strictly military part of an amount of 175 million dollars provides for the delivery of 120 mm ammunition containing depleted uranium and intended for American battle tanks Abrams, promised in Kiev, specified the Pentagon in a press release.
Taboo
These tanks should arrive sometime in the fall. The United States will also provide missile defense systems including Himars multiple rocket launchers and communications equipment, drawn from its current stocks.
Uranium is an extremely dense metal that does not deform when it comes into contact with its target. It is thus used in armor-piercing shells and bombs to make them more penetrating. These ammunition are in equipment in many armies, in particular American and Russian. Their use is not prohibited by international law.
The United Kingdom had already announced several months ago its intention to deliver depleted uranium ammunition to Ukraine, an initiative then denounced by Moscow, which threatened to use it too. About two months ago, the United States lifted another taboo by delivering cluster munitions to Ukraine, a decision criticized by NGOs.
The United States leads an international coalition in support of Ukraine, and has pledged more than $43 billion in military aid to kyiv since the conflict began in February 2022.