The US Department of Defense (DoD) has confirmed a new security assistance package for Ukraine, totalling approximately $2.5bn, to bolster the country's defence capabilities amidst ongoing conflicts.
The package comprises two components: a $1.25bn allotment from presidential drawdown authority and $1.22bn through the Ukrainian Security Assistance Initiative, as reported by Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh during a press briefing.
Singh highlighted that these contributions represent the 73rd drawdown of assistance and the 23rd instance of aid facilitated by the US Agency for International Development.
The assistance includes defence equipment such as munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), HAWK air defence munitions, Stinger missiles, counter-drone systems, and various calibres of artillery ammunition, among others.
“[This assistance reflects] our continued efforts with our over 50 allies and partners through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group to ensure Ukraine has what it needs to be successful on the battlefield and to defend its sovereignty,” Sabrina Singh said.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, who established the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, plans to host the 25th UDCG meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
The meeting will focus on presenting roadmaps for continued efficient and sustainable support to Ukraine.
Additionally, Singh confirmed during the briefing that the department aligns with recent White House evaluations concerning North Korean military casualties incurred during engagements against Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk region.
She noted that North Korean operations in this area have not yielded substantial effectiveness and have resulted in considerable losses for North Korea.
Singh stated: “The White House recently announced that approximately 1,000 [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] soldiers have either been killed or wounded in the Kursk region. That's our assessment as well.”
In addition, Denmark, France, and Lithuania collectively contributed more than €150m ($155m) to Ukraine's defence sector in December 2024.
