U.S. President Joe Biden announced a new package of military aid to Ukraine — $2.98 billion. This will allow Ukraine to acquire air defense systems, artillery systems and ammunition, anti-missile unmanned aerial systems and radars so that it can continue to defend itself in the long term.
The White House published a corresponding statement on August 24.
“I know that this Independence Day is bittersweet for many Ukrainians, as thousands of people have been killed or injured, millions have been forced from their homes, and many more have been victims of Russian atrocities and attacks. But six months of merciless attacks only strengthened the pride of Ukrainians for themselves, for their country and for thirty-one years of their independence. Today and every day, we stand together with the Ukrainian people to declare that the darkness that drives the autocracy cannot be compared to the flame of freedom that illuminates the souls of free people," congratulated Joe Biden.
- The USA is preparing 10 Switchblade 600 kamikaze drones for transfer to Ukraine. They are designed to destroy heavy armored vehicles at a distance of up to 40 km. Switchblade 600 can stay in the air for up to 40 minutes. Such drones attack the target at a speed of 185 kmph.
- On August 19, the US Department of Defense announced a new $755 million aid package. It will have ammunition for HIMARS, 16 105mm howitzers and 36 000 shells for them, 15 ScanEagle drones, HARM anti-tank missiles, 1 000 TOW heavy anti-tank missiles and 1,000 Javelin anti-tank systems. In addition, the Pentagon reported that the USA will hand over NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine in two to three months.