Ukraine Anticipates Vital Military Support: US Poised to Greenlight $60bn Aid Package
Amidst anticipation for US military aid, Ukraine faces lingering obstacles on the horizon
Soldiers fighting in Ukraine are feeling hopeful as the US Congress is close to approving a $60 billion military aid package for Kyiv. This support comes at a crucial time when Russia is increasing its aggression.
The bill for aid to Ukraine was approved by the House of Representatives in the US and will now move to the Senate for consideration. President Joe Biden has promised to sign it into law promptly if it passes in the Senate. This will allow for the quick delivery of weapons and equipment to Ukraine to address their immediate needs on the battlefield.
Ukraine has been vocal about their needs, with artillery shells and air defense systems topping the list. Ukrainian soldiers have been sharing their struggles of being overpowered by Russian forces on the front lines for months. President Volodymyr Zelensky even mentioned that the ratio of firepower is 10 to one in Russia's favor.
"We need ammunition to win. Our artillery is running low," said Teren, an artillery reconnaissance commander with the 110th mechanized brigade, known as "Teren," in an interview with CNN after the vote on Saturday.
Teren is experienced in this matter, as he spent two years defending the industrial town of Avdiivka before it was taken by Russia in February. Since then, the forces from Moscow have been advancing successfully towards the west.
House Speaker Mike Johnson at the Capitol in Washington on April 20, 2024.
House Speaker Mike Johnson at the Capitol in Washington on April 20, 2024.
Drew Angerer/AFP/Getty Images
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To focus on a specific area in the Donetsk region, the Ukrainian monitoring group, DeepState, has been monitoring Russian advancements along a railway line leading to the center of Ocheretyne village.
Although Ocheretyne itself may not hold strategic importance, its location on a ridge makes it a valuable military target. According to an officer from Ukraine's Eastern Command who preferred to remain anonymous, if Russian forces were to capture and maintain control of the village, it could put key Ukrainian logistics routes at risk. These routes connect three crucial military hubs - Kostiantynivka, Pokrovsk, and Velyka Novosilka - potentially placing them under Russian fire control.
As the approval for new US military aid seems imminent, the pressing concern is how quickly essential munitions, such as 155mm Howitzer shells, can be delivered to the front lines to halt Russia's advancing forces.
Last week, Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder mentioned that the US Department of Defense was ready to act promptly once an order was received. He highlighted the strong logistics network that allows for quick movement of supplies, stating that they have been able to mobilize within days in the past.
Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, expressed the same sentiment during an interview with CBS News on Sunday. He mentioned that he hoped the materiel would be "in transit by the end of the week."
According to a US source knowledgeable about military aid to Ukraine, a significant portion of the aid is already stored in facilities in Germany and Poland. This strategic positioning would significantly reduce the time required to deliver the aid to Ukraine. The source also indicated that artillery shells would be prioritized in the initial shipment.
Once the supplies cross the border, officials in Kyiv will work to deliver them to the necessary areas as fast as possible. However, this task will be quite challenging due to the large amount of materials that need to be transported.
In simple terms, Russia's current advantage of ten to one will not disappear right away.
With the U.S. Senate expected to approve a bill devoting billions of dollars to aid for Ukraine, CNN's Frederik Pleitgen reports on how Ukraine reacted to its passage in the House.
The U.S. Senate is anticipated to pass a bill that will allocate billions of dollars in aid for Ukraine. CNN's Frederik Pleitgen covers Ukraine's response to the bill being approved by the House.
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Ukraine is facing a shortage of artillery ammunition and air defense interceptors, which is making it difficult to carry out effective defensive operations, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
The ISW also suggests that Russia could target transportation networks, such as railways, to disrupt distribution. This was seen on Friday in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region. Additionally, Russia may increase its activities along the front lines before US aid arrives.
One potential target for a possible Russian offensive in the near future could be the town of Chasiv Yar. This town holds strategic military importance for Ukraine, especially since the Russian takeover of Bakhmut, located about 10 kilometers (6 miles) to the east, nearly a year ago.
According to accounts from Ukrainian soldiers, there have been intense battles in the area between Chasiv Yar and Bakhmut as Russian forces attempt to push forward. The chief of Ukraine's army has expressed his belief that the Kremlin has set a deadline for the capture of Chasiv Yar by May 9, a significant date for Russia as it marks the victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
Chasiv Yar is currently facing airstrikes from Russian warplanes using large "guided" bombs. Rob Lee, an analyst, has shared videos on his X account showing Russian Su-25 planes flying freely above the town. He mentions that this indicates a shortage of Ukrainian air defense ammunition.
Smoke rises after a bombing near the town of Chasiv Yar, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine on April 11, 2024.
Smoke rises after a bombing near the town of Chasiv Yar, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine on April 11, 2024.
Anatolii Stepanov/AFP/Getty Images
Ukraine is seeking surface-to-air missile systems from the US to counter threats and more interceptors for the Patriot air defense system. The Patriot system is crucial in defending cities and important infrastructure like power plants from missile attacks.
President Zelensky emphasized the importance of both front-line air defense and protecting cities and villages.
Ukraine is expected to receive longer-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) in the first batch of weapons deliveries. The Senate Intelligence Committee chairman, Warner, has indicated that these missiles will likely be included in the shipment, in addition to the immediate weapons needs of Ukraine.
The United States has already supplied Ukraine with shorter-range versions of the ATACMS. However, Ukrainian officials have expressed their interest in obtaining the newer version, which has a range of about 300 kilometers (186 miles). These missiles would enable Kyiv to launch attacks on Russian airfields, fuel depots, and weapons storage sites, potentially impacting Russia's war efforts in the long term.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba believes that the recent US support has given momentum to Ukraine and its European allies. He emphasized the importance of unity and courage in preventing worst-case scenarios during an online meeting with EU foreign and defense ministers on Monday.
Kuleba urged countries with Patriot and SAMP/T air defense systems to donate them to Ukraine, along with artillery and ammunition. He emphasized the need for collective action without fear to address the challenges faced by Ukraine.
"Let's stop debating and start taking action now that everyone is here at the table," Kuleba urged.
CNN's Andy Carey provided updates from Kyiv, with contributions from Victoria Butenko, Daria Tarasova-Markina, and Svitlana Vlasova.
Editor's P/S:
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has reached a critical juncture, with Russian forces advancing rapidly and Ukrainian soldiers facing dire shortages of ammunition and air defense systems. The approval of a $60 billion military aid package by the US Congress provides a glimmer of hope for Ukraine, but the urgency of delivering these supplies to the front lines cannot be overstated.
The Ukrainian military has been vocal about its need for artillery shells and air defense interceptors, as Russia holds a significant advantage in firepower. The proposed aid package includes these essential munitions, as well as longer-range missiles that could potentially impact Russian war efforts in the long term. The quick delivery of these supplies is crucial to halt Russia's advances and bolster Ukrainian defenses.
