Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived on a historic visit to Ukraine after a two-day visit to Poland. Narendra Modi is the first Prime Minister of the country to visit Ukraine, which has been embroiled in a war with Russia for a long time. Before PM Modi set foot on Ukrainian soil, the US has made a big announcement for war-torn Ukraine and has announced military aid of 125 million US dollars i.e. Rs 10,493,301,375.
US to send nearly $125 million in military aid to Ukraine
The Biden administration will send about $125 million in new military aid to Ukraine, US officials said on Thursday. Washington is working to figure out how to pursue broader battlefield goals after Kiev's more than two years of infighting and war with Russia. The latest package of aid includes air defense missiles, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), Javelin and other anti-armor missiles, counter-drones, counter-electronic warfare systems and equipment, and 155 MM – 105 MM artillery ammunition, vehicles and other equipment, US officials said.
Official announcement of help today
No public announcement has been made so far about the aid, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity. A formal announcement could come on Friday, which is also the eve of Ukraine's Independence Day. The weapons are being provided through presidential drawdown authority, which means they are taken from Pentagon stockpiles and can be distributed more quickly.
Ukraine recaptures about 100 square kilometers near Kursk
The military assistance comes as Ukrainian forces are stepping up their surprise offensive into Russia. Officials say they have seized about 100 square kilometers of territory near Kursk. Meanwhile, Russian forces are tightening their grip on a key logistics hub around the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in the east.
US in touch with crane leaders
Pentagon officials have repeatedly said that the US is talking to Ukrainian leaders to better assess their long-term goals for the Kursk operation, especially as they see Russia moving closer to Pokrovsk. If the situation in Pokrovsk weakens, this change will threaten Ukraine's security. Russia will move closer to its declared goal of capturing the Donetsk region. Russian troops are now just 10 kilometers away from reaching there.
Ukraine wants to create buffer zone on the border
When asked about the Kursk operation, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said, “We are still working with Ukraine on how this fits into their strategic objectives on the battlefield.” She said the US understands Ukraine wants to create a buffer zone along the border, but the administration still has more questions about how it will approach Ukraine’s broader war effort.
The US has provided over $55.7 billion in aid so far
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday made his first visit to the border region where his army launched an offensive on August 6. He said Kiev's army had captured another Russian village and several prisoners of war were also taken. The US has continued to provide aid to Ukraine since Russia's attack in February 2022. So far this aid has exceeded $55.7 billion.