Tuesday 4 October 2022 07:03 PM Biden gives Zelensky another $625 MILLION in aid - including HIMARS missiles ... trends now
The White House on Tuesday announced plans to provide another $625 million in military aid to Ukraine - including advanced HIMARS rocket systems that have proved crucial in pushing back Russian forces.
Details emerged after President Joe Biden spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, to reassure him that the U.S. would not recognize Russia's annexation of parts of Ukraine.
It brings the total American assistance to almost $17 billion since Russia invaded Ukraine.
The two leaders were joined by Vice President Kamala Harris on the call, which came as Russian forces suffered further setbacks near the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson.
'President Biden pledged to continue supporting Ukraine as it defends itself from Russian aggression for as long as it takes, including the provision today of a new $625 million security assistance package that includes additional weapons and equipment, including HIMARS, artillery systems and ammunition, and armored vehicles,' the White House said in a readout of the call.
'President Biden also affirmed the continued readiness of the United States to impose severe costs on any individual, entity, or country that provides support to Russia’s purported annexation.'
The HIMARS have become a crucial weapon for Ukraine, allowing it to hit bridges used by Russia to supply its forces
The M142 system can launch multiple precision-guidance rockets with a range of up to 50 miles.
The latest commitment will bring the total delivered to 20.
A $1.8 billion package announced last week also included 18 HIMARS launch trucks, but they will come from a separate fund which means the US must first source and purchase the systems.
Tuesday's announcement is a 'presidential drawdown' which means they can be taken directly from Pentagon stocks.
Secretary of State Anton Blinken said it was the 22nd drawdown of arms and ammunition for Ukraine.
'The capabilities we are delivering are carefully calibrated to make the most difference on the battlefield and strengthen Ukraine’s hand at the negotiating table when the time is right,' he said.
Meanwhile, Russia's frontline has collapsed in the south of Ukraine with dozens of towns liberated in a matter of hours, according to sources on both sides of the conflict.
Kyiv said its troops are 'confidently advancing to the sea' as videos showed the city of Davydiv Brid under their control along with a clutch of smaller settlements in the surrounding countryside.
Meanwhile pro-Russian military bloggers said their forces had retreated around 10 miles down the Dnipro River as the entire northern end of their territory west of the river fell into Ukrainian hands.
It comes just days after Putin declared the Kherson region - along with three others - to be part of Russia, vowing they would belong to Moscow 'forever'.
Ukrainian troops are pictured fighting in Kherson, in the south, with a heavy machinegun mounted on the top of a buggy which is being used to attack a Russian position
A Ukrainian soldier fires an anti-tank launcher from the top of an armoured car as they break through Russian lines to the north of Kherson
The northern end of the Russian frontline in Kherson has reportedly collapsed, with dozens of villages being retaken by the Ukrainians
Illia Ponomarenko, a respected journalist for the Kyiv Independent, tweeted: 'Good lord, Russian front is apparently collapsing in the south.
'I just can't keep up with reports on newly-liberated towns coming every
