The Biden administration announced a new military aid package for Ukraine on Thursday valued at up to $150 million.
This package includes additional munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), AIM-9M missiles for air defense, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), among other weapons. It was provided via Presidential Drawdown Authority, which means the weapons will come from the department's stockpiles.
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"Russia started this war and could end it at any time by withdrawing its forces from Ukraine and stopping its brutal attacks, which continue to take the lives of innocent people," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. "Until it does, the United States and the coalition we have built of more than 50 nations will continue to stand with Ukraine, and we will continue to work with Congress to help Ukraine secure its future — a future in which its people rebuild and live safely in a resilient and thriving democracy."
Russia has "suffered significant losses in [their recent] offensive attempt," National Security Council coordinator John Kirby said on Thursday.
The United States believes the Russians have suffered "thousands of casualties in their effort to conduct this offensive," Kirby added, alleging that "We also have information that Russian commanders are threatening to execute entire units" that refuse to follow orders.
"The Russian military appears to be using what we would call human wave tactics, just throwing masses of these poorly trained soldiers right into the fight, no proper equipment, no leadership, no resources, no support," he said. "It is unsurprising that Russian forces are suffering from poor morale, given all these conditions. Russia's renewed attempt at offensive is a sobering reminder that President Putin is not giving up on his aspirations to take all of Ukraine."
The Arizona Air National Guard is currently training Ukrainian pilots on how to fly F-16 aircraft at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, which is part of a long-term plan to give Ukraine these fourth-generation fighter aircraft.
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Last week, the Biden administration sent a supplemental funding request to Congress that totals more than $100 billion and includes more than $60 billion for Ukraine.
The House of Representatives had been without a Speaker for about three weeks until they voted for Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) to take up the gavel on Wednesday. Even though the House now has a speaker, there is a large minority of the House GOP that does not support providing additional aid to Ukraine. As a whole, Senate Republicans are more supportive of continuing aid to Ukraine.