In addition to artillery ammunition, the new $600 million security support package from the United States for Ukraine includes mine-clearing tools and demolition explosives.
Due to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which Washington uses to purchase equipment from the defense industry or allies rather than using US stocks, the assistance won’t be available on the battlefield right away.
The package will “support Ukraine’s battlefield needs” and demonstrates “unwavering US support for Ukraine,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
The most recent declaration was made one day after Washington committed to providing Kyiv with more than $1 billion in military and humanitarian help, including 120mm depleted uranium rounds for M1 Abrams tanks that will be delivered before the end of the year.
Although they have not been conclusively shown to have caused such problems, depleted uranium munitions are contentious because of their relationship with health disorders like cancer and birth deformities in regions where they were employed in previous conflicts.
Depleted uranium, a byproduct of the nuclear enrichment process, is dense and can penetrate thick armor, making it the perfect material for ammunition intended for use against tanks.
The US plan to supply depleted uranium weapons has drawn harsh criticism from Russia, but Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh defended the action on Thursday.
“We feel that these will be the most effective rounds to counter Russian tanks and will help… the Ukrainians to defend” their territory, Singh told journalists.
A coalition to assist Kyiv was swiftly formed after Russia invaded the country last year, and help from other nations was coordinated by US officials, who have led the charge for international support for Ukraine.
Since Moscow began its full-scale assault in February 2022, Washington has committed to providing Kyiv with Ukraine than $43 billion in military aid.
