ADDS DETAILS THROUGHOUT
By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden authorized $800 million in new assistance for Ukraine on Wednesday to bolster its forces in the face of widespread Russian aggression.
"The American people are answering President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy’s call for more help, more weapons to Ukraine to defend itself, more tools to fight Russian aggression. And that's what we're doing," the president said at the White House, noting that US assistance has already helped Ukraine "inflict dramatic losses on Russian forces."
The new package brings US assistance to Ukraine in just the past week to more than $1 billion. It includes 800 anti-aircraft systems, including longer-range systems than were previously supplied, 9,000 anti-armor systems, and 7,000 small arms firearms, said Biden.
An additional 20 million rounds will be supplied to Ukraine, as well as drones that Biden described as "cutting edge."
The White House later specified that the new aid includes Stinger anti-air systems, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor weapons, 100 "tactical" drones, and 25,000 sets of body armor and helmets. One hundred grenade launchers, 5,000 rifles, 1,000 pistols, 400 machine guns and 400 shotguns are also included.
"The United States and our allies and partners are fully committed to surging weapons of assistance to the Ukrainians and more will be coming as we source additional stocks of equipment that we're ready to transfer," Biden said, flanked by senior officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley.
"This could be a long and difficult battle, but the American people will be steadfast in our support for the people of Ukraine in the face of Putin's immoral, unethical attacks on civilian populations. We are united in our abhorrence of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's depraved onslaught," he added.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which began Feb. 24, has drawn international condemnation, led to financial sanctions on Moscow and spurred an exodus of global firms from Russia.
At least 726 civilians have been killed and 1,174 injured in Ukraine since the beginning of the war.
More than 3 million refugees have fled to neighboring countries, according to the UN.