Deliveries are accelerating. Faced with the intensification of fighting in Donbass and southern Ukraine, several countries announced this week new military aid to kyiv. France notably confirmed, on Friday April 22, the imminent delivery of heavy weapons, including Caesar guns.
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Until recently, the shipment of heavy weapons was a red line for many states, which feared that it would constitute an act of war in the eyes of Russia. Round horizon of the military aid officially announced in recent days.
US announces $800 million in new aid
The American president evoked, Thursday, a new military aid of 800 million dollars. This announcement brings aid to kyiv to more than 4 billion dollars since the start of Joe Biden’s mandate, including 3.4 billion since the start of the invasion by Russia on February 24, the Pentagon said.
This new tranche of aid includes 72 howitzers and their vehicles, 144,000 shells and 121 “suicide drones”, named Phoenix Ghost. These howitzers “will equip five artillery battalions for potential use in the Donbass”detailed the spokesman of the Pentagon, John Kirby.
Washington had previously provided or promised 5,000 Javelin anti-tank missiles. This model, able to break through the Russian T-90 tank, became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance. In addition, the United States had already announced the dispatch of 7,000 anti-tank weapons of another model, 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft systems, several hundred “suicide drones” of the Switchblade model, 7,000 assault rifles, 50 million bullets and various ammunition, laser-guided rockets, Puma drones, anti-artillery and anti-drone radars, armored vehicles light as well as secure communication systems.
France has delivered more than 100 million euros of equipment, including missiles and cannons
France, which remains discreet about the details of its aid to Ukraine, has delivered more than 100 million euros of military equipment. “We deliver substantial equipment, [missiles] Milan to [canons] caesar passing through several types of armaments”said Emmanuel Macron on Friday in an interview at West France. “I think we have to continue on this path. With always a red line which is not to enter into co-belligerence”he added.
“Thousands of Shells” and the 155 mm caliber Caesar guns with a range of 40 kilometers will be delivered “in the next few days”, said the Elysée. Lhe Milan missiles have “already been given”. About forty Ukrainian soldiers must also be trained in France in their handling from Saturday, added the French presidency, without further details.
Canada made its first delivery of heavy artillery
For the first time, Canada this week delivered heavy artillery to Ukraine, including M777 howitzers and additional anti-tank ammunition, but did not specify how many. Ottawa is also preparing to send armored vehicles.
Canada has pledged since 2015 to provide Ukraine with military equipment worth approximately US$112 million, including approximately US$94 million since the start of the conflict. The country has announced since February the shipment of machine guns, rifles, sniper rifles, ammunition, grenades, rocket launchers, and surveillance equipment.
Spain announces the dispatch of 200 tons of military equipment
Madrid announced on Thursday the shipment of 200 tons of military equipment, ammunition, 30 military trucks, special heavy transport vehicles and ten light vehicles. “This is the most important shipment made” by Spain, said Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “He more than doubles what we have sent so far”he added. Madrid had so far sent a dozen planes loaded with military equipment, according to Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles.
UK plans to send tanks to Ukraine’s neighbor Poland
London is considering sending tanks to Poland to help Warsaw deliver its own T72 tanks to Ukraine, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday.
The UK further claims to have already distributed 200,000 pieces of equipment to Ukraine, including 4,800 NLAW anti-tank missiles and a small number of Javelins, and has announced the dispatch of 6000 other missiles. The country also sent Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles and promised to send 120 armored vehicles and a new anti-ship system. London has pledged 350 million pounds sterling (416 million euros) in financial support for the Ukrainian army, in addition to humanitarian and economic support.