New $775 mn US arms package to bolster Ukraine offensive ops

The US Defense Department on Friday announced a new $775 million arms package for Ukraine aiming to help Kyiv turn the tables and begin regaining territory occupied by Russian forces.

The Russian offensive which began February 24 has been brought to a standstill, a senior Pentagon official told reporters, and the new package includes a range of precision missiles, anti-armor weaponry, surveillance drones, artillery and mine-clearing equipment that could boost Ukrainian offensive operations, AFP reports.

“You are seeing a complete and total lack of progress by the Russians on the battlefield,” the official said, speaking to reporters on the condition of anonymity.

The new package, the 19th since the war began, comes as Ukraine forces have used ally-supplied precision guided weapons to strike far behind enemy lines, demolishing several dozen Russian arms depots and command centers since mid-June.

More recently, the Russians have suffered major damage at an airfield and other facilities deep in occupied Crimea, and this week an arms depot nearly 50 kilometers (30 miles) inside Russia’s Belgorod Province exploded.

Defense experts say those incidents could indicate Ukraine’s ability to deliver blows deep behind Russian defenses and that Kyiv is prepared to go on the offensive, six months into the war.