War: US sends Ukraine new military package worth €264m

National Security Council Communications Coordinator John Kirby said in a telephone press conference that the new ship carries four HIMARS rocket launchers and ammunition for this long-range weapon.

The package includes anti-armor systems, 36,000 artillery shells and 580 Phoenix Coast tactical drones.

So far, the U.S. has provided 12 Himars to Ukraine, an increase to 16 with the aid announced today.

On Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that Kiev’s allies would not only provide short-term aid but also support Ukraine in a long-term war.

Kirby said today that they are in constant contact with Ukrainian officials to find out what the needs are and to be as responsive as possible.

“It’s an ongoing process,” he stressed, to ensure that US military aid packages are tailored to the needs on the ground.

With this new export announcement, US military support for Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion is $8.2 billion (about eight billion euros).

Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine on February 24 that killed more than 5,100 civilians, according to the UN, which warns that the true number could be much higher.

More than 16 million people have been displaced by the Russian military offensive, with more than 5.9 million of them fleeing the country, according to a recent UN report.

The international organization has observed the return of people to Ukrainian territory.

According to the United Nations, more than 15.7 million people in Ukraine are in need of humanitarian assistance.

The Russian invasion was generally condemned by the international community, which responded by sending arms to Ukraine and strengthening economic and political sanctions on Moscow.

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