UPDATE - US announces $1.85B military package for Ukraine, including Patriot system

ADDS PENTAGON DETAILS ON PACKAGE IN GRAFS 7-8

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The Biden administration announced Wednesday a new $1.85 billion military package for Ukraine, including an air-defense system highly sought by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he prepares to visit the US capital.

In addition to Washington's first transfer of the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine, the new assistance includes expanded precision-strike capabilities, additional munitions and other "critical equipment that Ukraine is using so effectively to defend itself on the battlefield," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

The assistance includes a $1 billion drawdown from existing US military stocks and $850 million in equipment that will be transferred from the Pentagon under its Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

“Over the past three hundred days, the Kremlin has tried and failed to wipe Ukraine off the map. Now, Russia is trying to weaponize winter by freezing and starving Ukrainian civilians and forcing families from their homes," Blinken said.

"In response, President Biden will announce today that the United States is providing critical new and additional military capabilities to help Ukraine defend itself from Russia’s ongoing brutal and unprovoked assault," he added.

With Wednesday's announcement, the US will have provided Ukraine with $21.9 billion in assistance since January 2021.

The Pentagon separately detailed the latest tranche, saying it will include one Patriot air defense battery and ammunition, more HIMARS ammunition, 500 precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds, 30 mortar systems of various calibers, 37 Cougar Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and 120 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles.

Thousands of artillery and GRAD rocket rounds are also included in the sprawling package, as are claymore mines, night vision equipment, communications systems, grenade launchers, body armor and precision aerial munitions.

The Patriot system is capable of intercepting cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles and warplanes "at a significantly higher ceiling than previously provided air defense systems," said Blinken.

The Kremlin had warned Washington against providing Ukraine with the system, saying last Thursday that any deliveries would raise the risk of Washington’s direct involvement in the conflict.

Zelenskyy is slated to sit down with US President Joe Biden at the White House before addressing a joint session of Congress Wednesday evening.