Western Military Aid to Ukraine Since February 2022 Totals $100Bln, Defense Minister Says
© AFP 2023 SERGEI SUPINSKY
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On August 29, the new $250-million security assistance package to Ukraine was announced by the US Defense Department. The military aid included TOW anti-tank and Hydra-70 air-to-ground missiles, along with other equipment, media reported.
Ukraine received about $100 billion worth of military aid from the Western allies since the start of Russian special military operation in February 2022, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Sunday, adding that the United States' defense assistance alone stands at over $50 billion.
"If we calculate and assess all the assistance packages today … We [Ukraine] received weapons and different equipment - cartridges, shells, and shots - I think, worth about $100 billion," Reznikov was quoted by media as saying.
The defense minister also said that Kiev received over $50 billion of military assistance from Washington alone, adding that Ukraine procured weapons and defense equipment using the funds from its state budget, but the major part of the country's money was spent on monetary allowance and compensation payments to Ukrainian troops.
Western allies started delivering weapons to Ukraine after Russia launched its military operation there in February 2022. Their support has evolved from light artillery munitions and training to heavier weapons. In recent months, Kiev has been pushing its donors to provide fighter jets. Russia has consistently warned against further arms deliveries to Ukraine.
