One 12 months in the past as we speak, Russia launched an unprovoked invasion of its peaceable and democratic neighbor, Ukraine—a merciless battle of selection that has killed hundreds of harmless Ukrainians, compelled thousands and thousands extra from their houses, left numerous wounded or traumatized, and inflicted tragedy and terror on a sovereign U.N. member state, stated Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III in an announcement as we speak.
“Immediately’s solemn anniversary is a chance for all who consider in freedom, guidelines and sovereignty to recommit ourselves to supporting Ukraine’s courageous defenders for the lengthy haul—and to recall that the stakes of Russia’s battle stretch far past Ukraine,” he said.
The US has rallied the world to assist Ukraine and maintain Russia accountable. Over the previous 12 months, america has dedicated greater than $32 billion in safety help to Ukraine, Austin said.
The U.S. has additionally rallied nations of goodwill from across the planet to sentence Russia’s aggression and rush urgently wanted help to Ukraine, he said.
“The engine of our efforts is the Ukraine Protection Contact Group, a unprecedented coalition of some 50 nations that I convene recurrently to coordinate assist to Ukraine’s defenders,” Austin said.
Allies and companions within the contact group have dedicated greater than $20 billion in safety help to Ukraine, together with tons of of tanks, hundreds of different armored automobiles, very important air-defense programs, tons of of artillery programs and different essential capabilities, he said.
The US has deployed or prolonged greater than 20,000 further U.S. forces to Europe and ahead stationed the primary everlasting U.S. forces on NATO‘s jap flank, he said.
“NATO is extra united than ever, and the U.S. dedication to defend each inch of allied territory stays ironclad,” Austin added.
“Putin thought that Ukraine’s defenses would collapse, that America’s resolve would falter, and that the world would look the opposite means. He was incorrect. One 12 months later, Ukraine’s courageous defenders haven’t wavered, and neither has our dedication to assist them for so long as it takes,” Austin said.
At a day briefing, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Drive Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder stated Austin as we speak spoke by telephone with Ukrainian Protection Minister Oleksii Reznikov. Austin praised Ukraine’s braveness and sacrifices which have impressed and rallied the worldwide neighborhood to assist efforts to push again towards Russian aggression. He additionally supplied Reznikov with an replace on U.S. safety help, which the Protection Division introduced as we speak.
That safety help bundle totals $2 billion and is supplied below the Ukraine Safety Help Initiative, Ryder stated.
“The safety help bundle reaffirms the steadfast assist of america for Ukraine by committing further unmanned aerial programs and counter-UAS [unmanned aerial systems] and digital warfare detection gear, in addition to important ammunition shares for artillery and precision fires capabilities,” Ryder stated.
Capabilities on this safety help bundle embody:
- Further ammunition for Excessive Mobility Artillery Rocket Techniques;
- Further 155 mm artillery rounds;
- Munitions for laser-guided rocket programs;
- CyberLux K8 UAS;
- Switchblade 600 UAS;
- Altius-600 UAS;
- Soar 20 UAS;
- Counter-UAS and digital warfare detection gear;
- Mine clearing gear;
- Safe communications assist gear; and
- Funding for coaching, upkeep and sustainment.
In contrast to presidential drawdowns, the Ukraine Safety Help Initiative is an authority below which america procures capabilities relatively than delivering gear that’s drawn from DOD shares.
