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Following a Pentagon meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a substantial $2.3 billion security assistance package for Ukraine.
This new package, which includes critical air defense interceptors and other essential weapons, aims to bolster Ukraine’s defenses amid the ongoing war with Russia. Pentagon spokespersons have indicated that more detailed information about the package will be released shortly.
During their meeting, which Join Chiefs Chairman CQ Brown attended, Austin said, “Ukraine is in a tough fight and has been ever since the start of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s reckless war of choice. The Kremlin continues to intensify its bombardment of your cities and civilians. But I continue to be impressed by the skill of your forces, and your troops continue to fend off Russia’s attacks with grit, ingenuity and courage. Make no mistake, Ukraine is not alone. The United States will never waver, and our support alongside some 50 allies and partners will continue to provide the critical capabilities that Ukraine needs to push back Russian aggression today and to deter Russian aggression tomorrow.”
This development comes as reports have been circulating that Russia may be running out of military tank reserves, which, if true, could dramatically alter the war. According to satellite imagery, a Russian depot that housed 857 tanks before the war is now almost empty.
To replenish its forces after losing modern tanks, Russia has deployed older models, such as the T-62 and T-54/55 series, from storage to the front lines. Additionally, Russia’s current tank production is nowhere near the scale of the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The T-54/55 was the most produced tank in history, with over 35,000 manufactured by the Soviet Union, and Russia inherited at least 3,000 after its dissolution. In contrast, only about 4,000 T-90 main battle tanks have been produced for the Russian military.
