On Wednesday, President Joe Biden unveiled a fresh $700 million security package for Ukraine despite Russian concerns that he was 'adding gasoline to the fire' by incorporating medium-range missile weapons.
The late-set tranche of military supplies comes as the Pentagon responds to Kremlin criticism, claiming that Russia did not have a vote on US support and labeling Moscow's incursion as unplanned.
US Is Aware of the Risks of Assisting Ukraine Against Russian Invasion
In addition to the missile system, the aid includes helicopters, Javelin anti-tank weapon systems, tactical vehicles, and other equipment. Ukraine has assured the US that the weapons would not be fired into Russian territory.
However, the Kremlin retaliated, accusing Washington of aggressive conduct. Biden stated on Monday that the United States will not supply Ukraine 'rocket weapons capable of striking inside Russia.
The new military package, on the other hand, comprises medium-range rockets with a range of 45 miles. Those, of course, might be shot into Russia if they were close enough. In the hopes of reversing the tide of the battle, Ukrainian leaders have requested longer-range missile weapons capable of launching a salvo of rockets hundreds of kilometers distant.
Furthermore, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl stated that Russia's invasion, which began a little more than three months ago, is well off track.
"Everything we undertake in connection with the Ukrainian crisis is done with the possibility of escalation in mind, including the recent decision to equip Ukraine with four HIMARS systems. Russia does not have a veto on what the US supplies to Ukrainians," Khal told reporters during a Pentagon briefing Wednesday, according to CNN.
The additional support comes as Russian forces get closer to gaining control of the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk. The city is in the Donbas area on Russia's border, and its capture would move Moscow closer to taking Ukraine's east.
Russia Holds Drills After Biden's Announcement
President Biden has stated on several occasions that he does not want the Ukraine crisis to grow into a third world war. Since the beginning of the Biden administration, the US has offered $5 billion in security aid to Ukraine, including about $4.5 billion since Russia's invasion on February 24, as per Daily Mail.
Russia's nuclear forces conducted training northeast of Moscow only one day after President Biden revealed intentions to transfer upgraded missiles to Ukraine. According to Russia's independent news outlet Interfax, 1,000 Russian soldiers are participating in strenuous drills employing more than 100 vehicles, including Yars intercontinental missile launchers.
The exercises are being held in Ivanovo Oblast, roughly 160 miles northeast of Moscow. According to the Russian news site mkivanovo.ru, the drills, which are aimed at training the missile systems for conflict, required the troops to march more than 60 kilometers, disguise the equipment, and deploy guards.
The training exercise also included Typhoon-M armored counter-sabotage vehicles with remotely controlled weapon stations. According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Russian President Vladimir Putin's administration does not trust Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky not to launch rockets into Russian territory. He also accused the US of raising tensions and impeding peace negotiations by arming Ukraine.
The new missile systems, which require additional training, might take up to two weeks for the Ukrainian armed forces to deploy. Meanwhile, Russian soldiers are gaining headway in Severodonetsk as part of the Kremlin's aim to take control of the disputed Donbas area in eastern Ukraine, New York Post reported.
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