US announces $600 million security assistance package for Ukraine

The package, part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), includes equipment to augment Ukraine's air defense, artillery, munitions, and other capabilities.

The USAI enables the U.S. to procure capabilities from industry or partners, unlike the presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to deliver equipment to Ukraine from its stocks at a historic pace.

According to a Pentagon statement, the capabilities in the announcement include equipment to sustain and integrate Ukraine's air defense systems, additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 105mm artillery rounds, electronic warfare and counter-electronic warfare equipment, demolition munitions for obstacle-clearing, mine-clearing equipment as well as Support and equipment for training, maintenance, and sustainment activities

The statement said that the United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements.

The announcement comes as Russia continues its offensive in eastern Ukraine. The U.S. and its allies have been providing Ukraine with military assistance since Russia invaded the country in February.

The $600 million package is the latest in a series of security assistance packages that the U.S. has provided to Ukraine.

The total value of U.S. security assistance to Ukraine since February is now over $7 billion. (ILKHA)