Russo-Ukraine War: The United States on Friday (March 3) announced a new $400 million military aid package for Ukraine that includes for the first time armored vehicles that can launch bridges – allowing troops to cross rivers or other gaps Because Russian and Ukrainian forces are entrenched on opposite sides. of the Dnieper River.
The war had largely slowed during the winter months, with Russia and Ukraine firing on each other from across the river. Both sides are expected to launch the offensive as soon as the temperature warms up. Aid for this round would be drawn from existing US weapons stockpiles so that it could reach Ukraine quickly. The US and allies are trying to provide additional support to Kiev to best position it for intense spring fighting.
The Armored Vehicle Launch Bridge is a portable, 60-foot (18-m) folding metal bridge that is carried over a tank body. Providing that system now could make it easier for Ukrainian troops to cross rivers to reach Russian forces.
Because Ukraine is also facing acute shelling ammunition shortages, this aid package, like previous ones, includes thousands of replacement rounds, such as rockets for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and 155mm howitzer rounds. The package also included demolition ammunition and equipment to remove obstacles to help Ukraine break through dug-in lines.
US military aid to Ukraine:
Since Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago, the United States has sent more than $32 billion in weapons and equipment.
The US is also roughly tripling the number of Ukrainian forces, which are training on advanced warfare tactics at a base in Germany, to help them punch through Russian lines. At the Grafenwoehr training area, Ukrainian forces go through a five-week course that prepares them to conduct advanced combined arms maneuvers with Bradley fighting vehicles, the M109 Paladin and Stryker armored personnel carriers. The first 600 Ukrainian soldiers completed the course last month and 1,600 more are in training.
The assistance will also include spare parts and equipment for maintenance and repair of the vehicle. The announcement comes after a brief meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a gathering of top diplomats from the Group of 20 countries in New Delhi on Thursday. It was the highest level of in-person talks between the two countries since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But there was no sign of any movement towards easing the acute tension between the two countries.
Blinken said he told Lavrov that the US would continue to support Ukraine as long as it took it. Lavrov, who did not mention speaking with Blinken when holding a news conference after the meeting, told reporters that Moscow would continue its actions in Ukraine.
(with inputs from agencies)
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