It is still “very early” to see improvements on the front lines after the new batch of US weapons began arriving in Ukraine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told US senators on Wednesday, The Kyiv Independent reports.
Lloyd AustinPhoto: Vano Shlamov / AFP / Profimedia
The United States last month passed a long-awaited nearly $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine after six months of delays due to internal political disputes between Democratic and Republican lawmakers.
The very next day, the Pentagon announced that it was ready to send to Kiev $1 billion worth of weapons from the US stockpile, including ammunition for HIMARS, 155 mm artillery shells, air defense interceptors and armored vehicles.
This was the first official military aid package for Ukraine in the massive legislative package. The last package sent by the US before this was worth 300 million dollars and was announced by Washington on March 12.
“It takes time to deploy some of these capabilities,” Lloyd Austin told a US Senate defense subcommittee.
While awaiting approval of the legislative package, the Pentagon prepared in advance some critically needed items, “such as air defense interceptors and artillery munitions, so that once it was approved, we could quickly move these things in support of Ukraine. And that’s what we’re doing,” he added.
The Pentagon chief also said he talks weekly with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov about “the most critical needs” for Ukraine.
“It’s hard to buy back time. But … I think that without this help Ukraine would have a very difficult time defending itself against superior force,” added Lloyd Austin.
Russia took advantage of Ukraine’s growing shortage of ammunition on the battlefield, capturing the eastern town of Avdiivka in February. Later, Moscow shifted its focus to capturing the city of Chesiv Yar, which could pave the way for further military advances in the Donetsk region.
Russian forces also continue to attack Ukrainian energy infrastructure with missiles and drones.
Ukraine is facing a “new stage” of full-scale war as Russia prepares to expand its offensive, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 3.
Kiev will try to launch a counteroffensive in 2025 with the help of Washington’s $61 billion military package, as well as additional funds from Western countries, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said recently.
Read also:
_____
