Dept. of Defense announces $300 million equipment package for Ukraine

In a press release on Friday, the Department of Defense announced a $300 million assistance package to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian forces. The package includes aerial systems, military weapons, and medical supplies.

The statement from the Pentagon listed night vision capabilities, ammunition, tactical communications systems, non-standard machine guns and other equipment as part of the military aid package. The commitment brings the total aid to Ukraine from the United States government to $2.3 billion.

The measure is part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a DoD-funded program aimed at fortifying Ukraine’s defenses against Moscow’s unprovoked invasion.

Unlike the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the US president to draw weapons and resources directly from the DoD stockpile, The equipment being sent to Ukraine will be procured from industry sources in the United States.

The DoD statement calls the invasion of Ukraine an “unprovoked, premeditated invasion,” and says the decision to supply Ukraine with the additional aid “underscores the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in support of its heroic efforts to repel Russia’s war of choice.”