Amid Large-Scale Russian Airstrikes... US Provides Emergency Weapon Support to Ukraine

Ammunition for HIMARS and NASAMS Worth 540 Billion KRW

(Photo by AFP) [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The U.S. government has announced an additional $400 million (approximately 536.8 billion KRW) in military aid to Ukraine. This support focuses on defensive weapons such as interceptor missiles amid Russia's resumption of large-scale missile strikes on key Ukrainian cities' infrastructure.

On the 23rd (local time), major foreign media including the Associated Press reported that the aid package includes combat trucks, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), ammunition for the advanced National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), 150 anti-aircraft guns for drone interception, 10,000 120mm mortar shells, and 20 million rounds of small arms ammunition.

The U.S. State Department stated in a press release that "additional defensive weapon support is urgently needed to protect Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure from Russia's ruthless and brutal missile and unmanned aerial vehicle attacks," adding that "support for HIMARS and NASAMS will help address these urgent threats."

Amid Russia's massive airstrikes, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which accounts for a significant portion of Ukraine's power supply, has sustained continuous shelling damage. Especially with the harsh winter cold approaching and peace negotiations failing, concerns are rising over the possibility of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons as the war remains at an impasse.

Since the outbreak of the war in February, U.S. military aid to Ukraine has exceeded $19 billion. Over the past nine months, the U.S. has provided Ukraine with T-72 tanks, Hawk surface-to-air missiles, Avenger anti-aircraft missiles, Stinger surface-to-air missiles, HIMARS, and high-performance drones.

The Associated Press analyzed that this additional aid is part of the Biden administration's efforts to secure sufficient aid funding for Ukraine before the Republicans take control of the House in January next year. Earlier this month, the White House also requested an additional budget including $37.7 billion for Ukraine support from Congress.

Some far-right Republican lawmakers and Kevin McCarthy, the House Majority Leader and a leading candidate for the next Speaker of the House, have publicly opposed blank check-style support for Ukraine, raising the possibility of reduced aid to Ukraine.