US approves $275 million in arms, military aid to Ukraine as Russia continues assault on Kharkiv

The United States on Friday announced a new tranche of military aid to Ukraine, including munitions, missiles, mines and artillery shells, as Russia continues its assault on the Kharkiv region.

Ukraine has been fighting back against Kharkiv since May 10, when thousands of Moscow troops stormed the border, making their biggest territorial advance in 18 months.

“The United States is today announcing another significant reduction in weapons and equipment destined for Ukraine to support the courageous people of Ukraine in their defense of their country,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

“This $275 million program, part of our efforts to help Ukraine repel the Russian assault near Kharkiv, contains capabilities we urgently need.”

Capabilities mentioned in this announcement include munitions for HIMARS, 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, 60mm mortar rounds, tube-launched, optically tracked and wire-guided (TOW) missiles, anti-armor Javelin and AT-4, precision aerial munitions, small arms and additional rounds of ammunition for small arms and grenades, demolition munitions, anti-armor mines, tactical vehicles for recovering equipment, helmets, body armor and equipment for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear protection, as well as spare parts, maintenance and other auxiliary equipment.

US lawmakers pass $61 billion military aid deal to Ukraine

U.S. lawmakers last month passed a long-delayed $61 billion military aid deal for kyiv after months of wrangling in Congress as Ukrainian forces suffered battlefield setbacks due to lack of ammunition and financing.

Since then, President Joe Biden has ordered five tranches of military aid to Ukraine.

“Help from previous programs has already reached the front lines, and we will deliver this new aid as quickly as possible,” Blinken said.

Strikes on the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest, killed at least seven people on Thursday, local authorities said.

More than 11,000 people in the region have been evacuated since the start of the new Russian offensive, according to local governor Oleg Synegubov.