The Biden administration announced today that it was sending more weapons to Ukraine, the first American aid package since the previous funding ran out in December. The delivery will include artillery rounds, armor systems and air defense interceptors, which are seen as critical for Ukraine’s defenses against Russian bombardment.
Funding for the package came from money Army accountants saved from contracts that came in under bid. It is a stopgap measure at best, American officials said. The new weapons will keep advancing Russian troops at bay for only a few weeks, one official estimated.
For months, President Biden has been calling on Congress to pass legislation authorizing $60.1 billion for Ukraine. He has accused Republican lawmakers who have blocked the aid of playing into the hands of Vladimir Putin.
In Russia, Ukraine-backed Russian exile groups staged a flurry of cross-border ground attacks, coinciding with Ukrainian drone strikes.