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| US Department of Defense Releases List of All Weapons Sent to Ukraine |
Washington - The United States Department of Defense released a list of nearly all weapons sent to Ukraine since the start of Russia's military operation in February. While the US has provided $15 billion worth of weapons, Kiev insists they need more.
Released on Friday (9/16/2022), the list accounts for the bulk of the $15.8 billion security aid that has been sent to Ukraine since President Joe Biden took office. The majority of that, $15.1 billion, has come since Russian troops entered Ukraine in February.
US President Joe Biden has allocated about $55 billion in military and economic aid to Kiev, with the bulk of the US arms package funded by a $40 billion spending budget passed by Congress in May.
Included in the list are more than 8,500 Javelin anti-armor missile launchers, 126 155mm howitzers with up to 806,000 rounds, 16 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), eight National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), 20 Mi helicopters. -17, more than 60 million rounds of small arms ammunition, more than 50 counter-artillery radars, and the use of American commercial spy satellites.
Kiev claims this weapon has allowed its forces to carry out a successful counter-offensive against Russian troops. However, the long-awaited Ukrainian offensive near Kherson last month ended in disaster, with more than 1,200 Ukrainian soldiers killed and dozens of armored vehicles destroyed, according to a Moscow report.
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Ukraine fared better in a more recent offensive near Kharkov, capturing swathes of territory ceded by Russian and Donbass forces. Ukraine's territorial gains around Kharkov have come at a heavy cost, with the Russian military claiming to have killed 4,000 soldiers and injured 8,000 Ukrainians and other foreign mercenaries. However, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said the Kharkov attack marked a "turning point" in the conflict
Zelensky boasted that if Ukraine was "a little stronger with weapons," Kiev could defeat the Russian military. To that end, Kiev has openly and secretly asked the US to send more sophisticated weaponry, including long-range missiles and F-16 fighter jets.
Read Also: Ukraine Quietly Asks the US To Send Various Advanced Weapons, Here is the List!
Several American officials and lawmakers have warned US stockpiles are running low amid an unprecedented surge in arms shipments to Ukraine. In an effort to keep weapons flowing, Zelensky is expected to make direct requests to US defense contractors during an industry conference next week.