US to provide military aid worth $500 million to Ukraine: Pentagon

Amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United States is all set to provide Kyiv with a new military aid worth $500 million, the Pentagon said.

What the aid will include?

According to the official statement by Pentagon, the military aid will include ground vehicles including Bradley fighting vehicles and Stryker armoured personnel carriers, etc.

The Pentagon said that the package will include key capabilities to support the country to fight against Russia.

“It will also support Ukraine’s counteroffensive operations, strengthen its air defenses … and other equipment to help Ukraine push back on Russia’s war of aggression,” the defence agency said. 

I am grateful: Zelensky 

Taking it to Twitter, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky extended his gratitude to the US, saying, “I am sincerely grateful.” He added, “For another $500 million defense assistance package. Additional Bradley and Stryker armored vehicles, ammunition for HIMARS, Patriots, and Stingers will add even more power.” 

Russia’s response to US military aid 

In a response to US military support, Russia’s embassy in the United States said that with the aid, “Washington only confirms the obsession with the idea of inflicting a strategic defeat on the Russian Federation.” 

According to the media reports, the aid is being funded using the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which authorises the president to transfer articles and services from US stocks without any congressional approval during a state of emergency. It is said that the material will come from US excess inventory. 

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, this is the 41st security assistance package approved by the US, making a total of over $40 billion.