US Rushes Weapons to Ukraine as Russia Attacks Kharkiv
The US State Department approved the emergency sale of three HIMARS units to Ukraine on Friday, May 10. The Associated Press reports that the deal is worth approximately $30 million, as reported by Associated Press.
Ukraine previously requested to purchase three rocket systems, which will be financed by the German government.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined an emergency situation exists, necessitating the "immediate sale" of weapons required by Ukraine. The systems will be provided from military stockpiles.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced on Thursday that Ukraine's Western allies would deliver an additional three High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to aid the country's fight against the Russian invasion.
"These systems come from US military stockpiles and will be financed by Germany," Pistorius said following his meeting with US counterpart Lloyd Austin in Washington, D.C.
HIMARS is a truck-mounted missile launcher capable of firing multiple guided missiles in rapid succession. The missiles supplied to Ukraine have a range of up to 80 kilometres.
The New US Aid Package for Ukraine
The United States officially confirmed a new $400 million military assistance package for Ukraine.
The US aid package includes artillery, ammunition for NASAMS air defence systems, anti-tank ammunition, armoured vehicles, and small arms for immediate use on the battlefield, according to a US official who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.
The arms package will be delivered using a special presidential prerogative called PDA, which authorises the president to transfer articles and services from US stockpiles without specific congressional approval in an emergency. Congress has authorised various forms of aid to Ukraine, totaling $60.8 billion, including $8 billion worth of articles deliverable through PDA.
The announcement of the aid came after Russian forces launched an armoured ground attack near Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, in the northeast of the country, on Friday. They also made small incursions, opening a new front in the protracted war in eastern and southern Ukraine.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
