Pentagon announces $300M in additional assistance for Ukraine

The U.S. Department of Defense has submitted a request to Congress regarding the provision of Ukraine with a new batch of security assistance worth $300 million, which includes a powerful package of various weapons and equipment for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said this in a statement released on Friday, Ukrinform reports.

"This afternoon, April 1, the Department of Defense (DoD) notified Congress of additional assistance activities under authority provided by the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). Through USAI, DoD will provide up to $300 million in security assistance to bolster Ukraine's capacity to defend itself," the statement said.

Capabilities in this package include laser-guided rocket systems, Switchblade kamikaze drones, Puma unmanned aerial systems, counter-unmanned aerial systems, armored high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles, small-to-large caliber nonstandard ammunition, night vision devices, thermal imagery systems, and optics, tactical secure communications systems, non-standard machine guns, commercial satellite imagery services, medical supplies, field equipment, and spare parts.

"The United States also continues to work with its Allies and partners to identify and provide to the Ukrainians additional capabilities," the statement said.

The United States has now committed more than $2.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden Administration, including more than $1.6 billion in security assistance since Russia's unprovoked, premeditated invasion.