Summary: The United States is bolstering Ukraine's defense against Russia with a new $300 million military aid package, emphasizing ammunition for artillery, rockets, and small arms, alongside anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles. This assistance, marking the Biden Administration's fifty-fifth tranche of support since August 2021, aims to address Ukraine's critical defense needs amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia. Despite this support, challenges persist for Ukraine, struggling to make significant progress against Russian advances and facing ammunition shortages.

Ukraine Gets More Arms from America...Just Not Enough

The United States is sending much-needed military assistance to Ukraine worth $300 million.

The latest security aid package comprises mainly artillery, rocket, and small arms ammunition, as well as anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles.

Although important, the package of military aid is just a fraction of what Ukraine needs to defeat Russia.

More Ammunition to Ukraine

The latest package of military aid to Ukraine centers around ammunition. Specifically, it includes ammo for the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and M240 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), 155mm artillery ammunition, including high explosive and cluster munitions, 105mm artillery rounds, AT-4 anti-tank missiles, FIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, as well as demolition munitions for obstacle clearing and small arms ammo.

“The Department of Defense (DoD) announced additional security assistance as an extraordinary measure to address some of Ukraine's most pressing security and defense needs,” the Department of Defense stated in a press release.

“This announcement is the Biden Administration's fifty-fifth tranche of equipment to be provided from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021. This Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) package is valued at up to $300 million and includes capabilities to support Ukraine's immediate air defense, artillery, and anti-tank requirements, the Pentagon added.

Ukraine Needs Help

The war isn’t going well for Ukraine.

The initial stalwart defense in the opening months gave way to sweeping successes in the east and south with large-scale counteroffensives.

However, since then, the Ukrainian military hasn’t managed to penetrate the Russian defenses and achieve an operational breakthrough that would redraw the battle map and help Kyiv win.

Indeed, not only the Ukrainian large-scale counteroffensive failed to achieve any meaningful progress last summer, but the Russian forces have also been on the offensive, gaining ground in the east, south, and the Donbas.

Lack of ammunition—especially artillery—is one of the main reasons on why the Ukrainians are forced to give way.

To be sure, the Ukrainian forces continue to inflict heavy losses on the advancing Russians, but Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kremlin advisers have proven to be more than willing to sacrifice hundreds of thousands of Russians on the altar of their ambition as well as countless pieces of military equipment, such as tanks.

Congress is currently blocking further military aid to Ukraine. But to prevail over the barbaric Russian forces, the Ukrainian men and women fighting need as much help as they can get.

“Security assistance for Ukraine remains a smart investment in our national security. It deters potential aggression elsewhere in the world, while strengthening our defense industrial base and creating highly skilled jobs for the American people,” the Department of Defense stated.

In the 24 months of the conflict, Ukraine has received almost $90 billion in security assistance from a U.S.-led coalition of about 50 countries.

“The current supplemental request includes over $50 billion that could be invested in the United States. Funding from previous supplementals has enabled DoD to invest over $30 billion across nearly 40 states,” the Pentagon added.

About the Author

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP. Email the author: [email protected].

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