The recent weapons package for Ukraine reflects a “substantive” change in the type of weaponry the US and its allies have been sending to Ukraine, according to US officials who spoke to CNN.
US has made ‘substantive’ change in weaponry provided to Ukraine, officials say | CNN Politics
Recently, the United States announced an aid package including more offensive weapons like Bradley Fighting Vehicles and advanced long-range rocket systems.
US to send Bradley vehicles to Ukraine as part of new aid package | CNN Politics
According to US officials, these new weapons give Ukraine “much more capability” to launch offensive campaigns to retake territory before Russian forces have time to regroup. One official told CNN that because Ukraine is abiding by limitations on the use of the weapons sent by the West so far, reservations over sending more capable systems have been tempered.
NSC spokeswoman Adrienne Watson told CNN that the US has been in constant contact with Ukraine concerning what it needs to defend itself against Russia. And as the situation on the ground evolves, “so does our assistance,” Watson said.
Earlier this month, the US announced it would be providing Bradleys to boost Ukraine’s offensive capabilities. Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said the Bradleys will provide “a level of firepower and armor that will bring advantages on the battlefield as Ukraine continues to defend their homeland.”
Up until now, the Biden administration has emphasized assisting Ukraine in defending against Russian attacks, especially by bolstering its air defenses. Brig. Gen. Ryder said providing defensive weapons will remain a “top priority.”
At the same time, the “substantive” change in weapons provided to Ukraine, like the Bradleys and the Patriot missile system, will give its military more offensive capabilities compared to what Ukraine had in the early months of the conflict, one official told CNN.
The United States was already supplying Ukraine with long-range systems like the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), which Ukraine used in a recent strike on Russian forces in the city of Makiivkain the occupied Donetsk region.
