The Pentagon announced a new package of military assistance to Ukraine for $800 million

The United States will provide Ukraine with a new $800 million military aid package, US Deputy Secretary of Defense for Political Affairs Colin Cole said at a briefing.

“The new $800 million aid package will include 155mm artillery shells, including cluster munitions,” he said (quote according to TASS).

On its website, the military department published a list of weapons included in the new package. In particular, Washington will provide Kiev with additional ammunition for Patriot air defense systems, AIM-7 air-to-air missiles, Stinger man-portable air defense systems, 32 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, additional ammunition for HIMARS, etc.

Earlier today at the White House recognizedthat the use of cluster munitions threatens the lives of civilians. That is why Washington postponed the decision to transfer such weapons to Kyiv, the US presidential administration added. They called the supply of cluster munitions a temporary measure, explaining that such a step is needed to increase the production of artillery shells in the United States.

At the same time, the Pentagon said that the risks to the civilian population associated with the use of cluster munitions by the Ukrainian army do not exceed concerns about Russia’s victory in the conflict against Ukraine.

The German authorities, referring to the signed convention on the prohibition of cluster munitions, expelled supply of such weapons to Kyiv. UN Secretary General António Guterres also opposed the use of shells, citing the same document.

After the start of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine, Western countries began to provide financial assistance to Ukraine and supply it with military equipment and weapons. Since the outbreak of hostilities, the United States has provided Ukraine with a total of $41.3 billion in military assistance, according to the Pentagon.

The Russian authorities have repeatedly criticized the supply of Western military equipment and weapons to Ukraine, noting the growth of direct and indirect involvement in the conflict of Western countries.