U.S. preparing $275 million weapons program for Ukraine, officials say

By Mike Stone

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is preparing $275 million in military aid to Ukraine that will include 155mm artillery shells, precision aerial munitions and ground vehicles, three officials told Reuters on Thursday American officials.

Moscow's forces have bombarded the northeastern city of Kharkiv for months and launched a ground offensive in the north of the surrounding region on May 10, an offensive that kyiv says is for moment blocked on two lines of attack.

The arms aid, which could be announced as soon as Friday, will use the presidential withdrawal authority, which authorizes the president to transfer items and services from U.S. stockpiles without specific congressional approval in the event of emergency.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

As part of the $95 billion aid bills, Congress authorized $60.8 billion in various forms of aid to Ukraine, including $8 billion under the Presidential Authorization withdrawal.

Although the package primarily includes munitions, it also includes vehicles designed to recover disabled tanks and other heavy equipment on the battlefield, a sign that the United States expects attacks and casualties to equipment continues.

Military analysts expected an increase in the order backlog of RTX, as well as other large companies that receive government contracts, such as Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman, following the passage of the bill. additional expenses.

(Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)