We're sending more military aid to Ukraine but we know it's not enough, admits US

Anti-tank weapons and air defence systems are being supplied to Ukraine as part of a US aid package worth up to $300m - with the Department of Defense admitting this is not enough to meet the country's battlefield requirements.

Fresh funding for Ukraine has been blocked by Republicans in Congress, and the weapons and ammunition announced in this latest package are being paid for out of cost savings that are being made within the DoD.

"This announcement is the Biden administration's fifty-fifth tranche of equipment to be provided from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021," said the DoD.

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"With a lack of replacement funds available to replenish DoD inventories, the administration had been forced to pause PDA packages since December 2023," it explained.

"DoD is able to support this extraordinary package after identifying contract savings from previously appropriated supplemental funding that can be applied to replace DoD stocks.

"Today's announcement provides a short-term stopgap, but it is nowhere near enough to meet Ukraine's battlefield needs.

"Without supplemental funding, DoD will remain hard-pressed to meet Ukraine's capability requirements at a time when Russia is pressing its attacks against Ukrainian forces and cities."

The latest military aid package from the United States to Ukraine will include:

• Stinger anti-aircraft missiles
• Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)
• 155mm artillery rounds, including High Explosive and Dual-Purpose Improved Cluster Munitions rounds
• 105mm artillery rounds
• AT4 anti-armour systems
• Additional rounds of small arms ammunition
• Demolitions munitions for obstacle clearing
• Spare parts, maintenance and other ancillary equipment

Despite this latest support, uncertainty remains about what level of aid will be provided in the future as further disagreement between both parties in Congress will likely intensify ahead of the upcoming election.

The DoD said: "US leadership is essential to sustaining the historic efforts of some 50 allies and partners from around the globe that have committed more than $87bn (£68bn) in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia launched its unprovoked, full-scale invasion in February 2022 – a war of choice that continues to undermine global security and stability. 

"Security assistance for Ukraine remains a smart investment in our national security."