Joe Biden raises the bar against Vladimir Putin by raising the lethal level of war supplies in Kyiv, even in an offensive tone. The supreme commander who flexed his muscles today by participating in the launch of a nuclearpowered wartime submarine authorized his government, for the first time since the conflict began, to work with allies to transfer Sovietmade tanks to Ukraine.
New York Times sources said tank transfers will begin soon, but didn’t want their numbers or from which countries they are arriving. The tanks, specifically requested by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will allow Kyiv to conduct longrange artillery fire on Russian targets in the Donbass to counterattack.
The Pentagon also announced another $300 million military aid package, bringing U.S. defense funds to Ukraine’s security aid to $1.6 billion so far. What is striking is the nature of the supplies, very sophisticated: laserguided missiles, switchblade “kamikaze drones (with explosive warheads), Pumatype light drones (reconnaissance), armored Humvees, unconventional machine guns (i.e. not regularly used by the US military) , as well as night vision goggles, thermal imaging systems, secure tactical communications systems, satellite services, medical equipment. Washington, along with its allies, is effectively adapting its aid to tactical changes on the ground. The supplies announced by the White House also include materials to protect civilians from possible Russian chemical attacks: gas masks, hazmat suits and other equipment.
REPRODUCTION RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
]]>
Get the embed code
]]>