The package is worth $ 400 million and only comes from funding from the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which means the U.S. sends weapons directly from U.S. gun reserves.
The package includes four additional rocket systems, additional ammunition for these systems, three tactical vehicles to “recover equipment, support Ukraine’s efforts to repair, refuel as the battle continues,” 1,000 rounds of ammunition. 155 mm artillery, demolition ammunition, anti-battery systems. and spare parts and other equipment, the official said.
The 1,000 155mm artillery rounds of ammunition that the US is providing to Ukraine in this package are a “new type” of ammunition that the US had not provided to Ukraine previously, the official added.
“It has greater accuracy, offers Ukraine precise guidance, precise capability for specific purposes, will save ammunition, will be more effective due to accuracy, so it is one more evolution in our support for Ukraine in this battle for the Donbas “, said the official.
The United States has provided Ukraine with 12 high-mobility artillery rocket systems with the commitment of these four additional systems, the official said. A senior military official said that “more than 100” Ukrainians have been trained in the systems so far.
Reports that the Russians have destroyed two high-mobility artillery rocket systems are false, the official added.
“Those that have already been provided are fully counted, the Ukrainians are still using them in the fight,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department on Saturday announced an additional humanitarian aid package for Ukraine totaling nearly $ 368 million.
It will provide food, water, shelter, health care and other humanitarian services to Ukrainians and others affected by the invasion of Russia. Funding will include about $ 288 million through the State Department and an additional $ 80 million through the U.S. Agency for International Development.
“As we move forward into the fifth month of Russia’s brutal assault on Ukraine, we continue to call for Russia to immediately end hostilities, facilitate unhindered humanitarian access to Ukraine and allow a sustained and secure passage for those seeking to flee. allies and partners who have welcomed those fleeing the war and welcomed the European Union’s decision to extend temporary protection status to Ukrainian citizens by granting them work permits and access to housing and other services, “U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement Saturday.
According to the State Department, the US has provided more than $ 1.25 billion in humanitarian aid to those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
This story has been updated with additional news.