As the White House and Department of State continue to warn that Russian forces may invade Ukraine at any time, American weapons and supplies are flooding into the embattled eastern European country, a continuation under Joe Biden of the lethal aid program enacted by President Trump. A massive shipment of 80 tons of U.S. weaponry including Javelin anti-tank missiles landed in Kyiv on January 25th, enthusiastically announced by Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov. But will it be enough? Or are we lining up for another Biden f*** up?
“Javelins in Kyiv!A new cargo of security aid – launchers&missiles – with a total weight of about 80 tons. We expect the arrival of the 4th from the big flock of birds soon. Thanks to our strategic partner,” Reznikov posted to Twitter.
Javelins in Kyiv!A new cargo of security aid – launchers&missiles – with a total weight of about 80 tons.We expect the arrival of the 4th from the big flock of birds soon. Thanks to our strategic partner 🇺🇦🤝🇺🇸@WhiteHouse @congressdotgov @USEmbassyKyiv @UKRintheUSA @DeptofDefense pic.twitter.com/hTSFBLSPJb
— Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) January 25, 2022
Reznikov reported a previous shipment via Twitter on the 23rd with a similar though, perhaps more light-hearted post. Thus far about 260 tons of equipment and supplies have been received with up to four expected, totaling some 320 tons.
The second bird in Kyiv! More than 80 tons of weapons to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities from our friends in the USA! And this is not the end 😌 🇺🇦🤝🇺🇸
P.S. the cargo arrived under dependable protection 🐶@WhiteHouse @congressdotgov @USEmbassyKyiv @UKRintheUSA pic.twitter.com/ReNaj9tRds— Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) January 23, 2022
According to American Military News,
“The U.S. has also reportedly granted permission to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to begin transferring their own stockpiles of U.S. military equipment to Ukraine.
Latvia and Lithuania would reportedly provide the anti-aircraft missiles, which could help Ukrainian forces fend off Russian aircraft. Russia’s helicopters and planes would likely prove crucial early on in a Russian invasion of Ukraine, attacking ground targets and rapidly moving troops and supplies to outmaneuver Ukrainian defenses.
Estonia would reportedly send Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine. The U.S. has provided such anti-tank missiles to Ukraine in the past and they could prove useful in fending off Russian armored units.”
Last week, United Kingdom Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said the U.K. had also begun sending “light anti-armor, defensive weapon systems” to Ukraine. Wallace said the U.K.’s shipments “are not strategic weapons and pose no threat to Russia. They are to use in self-defense.”
While many in both the US and Ukraine strongly favor providing weapons and supplies to Kyiv in an effort to fortify the historic bulwark of Europe, the recent high-speed collapse of the Ghani government in Afghanistan to a Taliban rout has many Americans wondering: Are we just setting up a supply cache for the Russians? If the Ukrainian military is pressed will our material and technological support help them stand, or will they fold as the Afghan National Army did?
~300 Javelins.
79 tons of security assistance for 🇺🇦’s armed forces.
Tonight, the third shipment of $200 million in assistance authorized by President Biden arrived at Boryspil Airport in Kyiv. The 🇺🇸 stands with 🇺🇦, and we will continue to provide 🇺🇦 the support it needs. pic.twitter.com/RIPMLMOmIY
— U.S. Embassy Kyiv (@USEmbassyKyiv) January 25, 2022
