Ukraine needs new types of weapons in the new stage of the war announced by Russia, Biden said.
US President Joe Biden announced the provision of military aid to Ukraine for another $ 800 million. New shipments include heavy weapons, dozens of howitzers, tactical drones and 144,000 rounds of ammunition. Thus, the amount of US military assistance to Ukraine will amount to $ 3.2 billion. Athletistic telling details.
“Critical window” in Russia’s war against Ukraine
On April 21, American leader Joe Biden announced that the United States was providing Ukraine with another $ 800 million in military aid. The previous package for the same amount included artillery systems, shells, armored personnel carriers and helicopters. This time, heavy weapons, howitzers, tactical drones and ammunition will come.
In announcing additional military assistance, Biden said there was a “critical window” into the battle as Russia prepares for the next phase of the war, where other types of weapons will be needed due to geography.
The first military -assisted flights will depart for Ukraine in two days, the Pentagon said. By the end of the weekend, Ukrainians should have cargo. The American publication Politico, referring to Pentagon data, lists the weapons:
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72 155 mm howitzer and 144 thousand shells for them
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72 howitzer tractors
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121 Phoenix Ghost tactical drone specifically designed for Ukraine
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field equipment and spare parts
In addition, the American president said that next week he would ask Congress for an additional budget for military assistance to Ukraine, as the previously approved one was running out.
“Next week, I will send a request to Congress for additional budget to maintain the flow of weapons and ammunition to the brave Ukrainian fighters,” Biden said.
On the eve of the announcement of new military aid to Ukraine, Biden held a meeting with the military command. After the meeting, he called on Russia to provide humanitarian corridors from Mariupol.
“One thing is clear: they need to be allowed to create humanitarian corridors so that people can get stuck in there,” the American president said at the White House, answering a journalist’s question.
Commenting on the situation in the city, Biden said that “there are questions about whether they really control Mariupol.”
The U.S. administration also, following the European Union, has announced a ban on Russian ships entering U.S. ports.
“This means that no ship, no ship flying the Russian flag or owned or operated by entities acting in Russia’s interests, will be allowed to anchor in the United States or go to our shores. None! Not one! ” Said Biden.
The American president also explicitly said what is commonly known from the media, but not officially released: the United States shares “timely intelligence” with Ukraine.
Phoenix Ghost is designed for Ukraine
The U.S. Air Force has developed a new Phoenix Ghost attack drone system specifically to meet Ukraine’s needs, CNN wrote, citing information from Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.
“The drones were quickly developed by the Air Force in precise response to the Ukrainian request. They provide similar capabilities to the Switchblade series of drones, but with differences,” Kirby said.
Kirby did not detail the difference of abilities between the Switchblade and Phoenix Ghost systems.
According to him, Phoenix Ghosts are primarily designed to hit targets and be destroyed after one use. “Of course, it can also be used to give you a visual representation of what it sees. But its main purpose is to attack,” Kirby said.
A Pentagon spokesman also said that the Phoenix Ghost needs little training for experienced UAV operators, and that the U.S. Department of Defense is “working hard” on these requirements in the Ukrainian military.
The Switchblade is a family of small kamikaze drones developed by AeroVironment.
The small drone version of the Switchblade 300 weighs just 2.7 kilograms, is capable of flying ten kilometers and is controlled for up to ten minutes. Its task is to increase the combat strength of the infantry.
The larger Switchblade 600 drone weighs 23 kilograms, can fly 40 kilometers in 20 minutes and patrol for another 20 minutes. It carries a Javelin type warhead, which can hit armored vehicles.
Assistance program for Ukrainian refugees
Biden also announced another $ 500 million in direct economic assistance to the Ukrainian government. According to him, the government can use this money to stabilize the economy, support the population and pay salaries.
Washington is also launching the Unite for Ukraine program, which should make it easier for Ukrainians to move to the United States.
The United States has adjusted the procedure for the entry of Ukrainian refugees into the country, announcing the list of requirements for legal border crossing for those seeking protection from the Russian war in Ukraine.
“We have already captured tens of thousands of Ukrainians, and today I am announcing the Uniting for Ukraine program, a new program that will allow Ukrainians seeking refugee status to travel directly from Europe to the US,” Biden tweeted. .
This new humanitarian parole program will complement the current legal paths available to Ukrainians.
This program will be fast. It will be streamlined. And it will ensure that the United States honors our commitment to the Ukrainian people.
– President Biden (@POTUS) April 21, 2022
We are talking about the humanitarian protection program, which will be another of the mechanisms available to Ukrainians to obtain asylum in the United States. Other mechanisms that give the right to legalize in the country include obtaining an emigrant visa or obtaining refugee status.
Under this program, Ukrainians will receive the right to enter the United States for up to two years with the right to submit documents for employment in the United States, said the press service of the Ukrainian Embassy in the United States.
The new program provides the need for sponsorship of Ukrainians who want to receive protection in the United States. It must be a U.S. citizen, a non-government organization or agency dealing with refugees, or any person residing in the U.S. who can provide bail for someone forced to leave Ukraine because of the war.
Anyone wishing to apply for the program is required to undergo rigorous security screening, including submission of biometric data and completion of the full course of immunizations in accordance with current U.S. health system requirements.
It was reported that only applications from Ukrainians who settled in the country on February 11 will be accepted for consideration. It is possible to apply online from April 25. The process will be handled by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Washington believes the program will facilitate the registration of Ukrainian refugees in the country.
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Source: korrespondent
