U.S. announces 400 mln USD in additional weapons aid to Ukraine

WASHINGTON, May 10 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Friday announced an additional package of weapons and equipment for Ukraine worth 400 million U.S. dollars.

Capabilities included in the package were additional air munitions for Patriot and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems; Stinger anti-aircraft missiles; equipment to integrate Western launchers, missiles, and radars with Ukraine's systems; additional High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and ammunition, according to a statement by the State Department.

Also to be provided to Ukraine were 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds; TOW and Javelin missiles and AT-4 anti-armor systems; Precision aerial munitions; High-speed Anti-radiation missiles; Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles; M113 Armored Personnel Carriers; Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles; coastal and riverine patrol boats; small arms ammunition and grenades; demolitions munitions; and spare parts, the statement said.

The United States has committed more than 51.3 billion dollars in military aid to Ukraine since the beginning of President Joe Biden's administration, including more than 50.6 billion dollars since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Feb. 24, 2022, the Defense Department said in a news release.

The new assistance from the United States came on the same day northern Ukraine was reportedly attacked by Russia in a new ground operation that began in the dawn.

Targeting the border town of Vovchansk near Ukraine's second largest city of Kharkiv, the attack was the most serious cross-border ground offensive by Russia in nearly two years, according to a CNN report citing a Ukrainian military source.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who thanked the United States for the new package on X, was quoted by CNN as saying the assault was part of "a new wave of counteroffensive actions" by Russia, adding that a "fierce battle" was being fought in the area.