The US announced a new tranche of military aid to Ukraine worth 275 million dollars. The package includes ammunition, rockets, mines and artillery shells. The news comes against the background of the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region, AFP reported.
"The United States is announcing today a significant new increase in weapons and equipment for Ukraine to support the brave Ukrainian people defending their country," Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said.
"This $275 million package, which is part of our efforts to help Ukraine repel Russia's offensive near Kharkiv, contains urgently needed capabilities," Blinken added.
US lawmakers last month passed a long-delayed $61 billion military aid deal for Kiev after months of wrangling in Congress.
Since then, President Joe Biden has ordered five tranches of military aid to Ukraine.
"Aid from previous packages has already reached the front lines and we will move this new aid as quickly as possible," the secretary of state said.
At least 7 people were killed in the strikes on the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, on May 23.
According to local governor Oleg Sinegubov, more than 11,000 people in the wider region have been evacuated since Russia began its new offensive./BGNES