Ukrainian Forces are set to receive crucial ammunition and reinforcements. After a tense deadlock in the US Senate, a significant breakthrough has emerged. The Senate’s resounding vote, authorizing a staggering $95.3 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, marks a pivotal moment and has the potential to alter global dynamics. With President Biden’s signature, as confirmed by White House reports, the path is now clear for the Pentagon to rush the supply chain of much-needed armaments to Ukraine.
The traumatic trek to secure the legislation approval in the US House has inflicted multiple blows to Ukrainian troops on the battlefield. Ukraine Army Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has said recently that situation on frontline has worsened, and Ukraine army has withdrawn from several position in eastern Donetsk. The Weapon deficient Ukrainian army is on the verge of a demoralizing downturn.
The Russian Defense Ministry has issued a statement confirming the capture of a region north of Avdiivka. Just last Saturday, Russia conducted another devastating airstrike on Ukraine, resulting in severe damage to medical and energy facilities, exacerbating the already weakened air defense systems in Ukraine. Ukraine is grappling with critical shortage of Patriot Missiles and Other Air defense Systems. Kyiv forces are managing with soviet era S-300 SAM & quickly dwindling supplies of Patriot missiles. The situation at the frontline is fragile & risky.
How does this aid help? Impact on Battlefield:
Bulk of the 95.3 billion USD will go to Ukraine, i.e. almost 61 billion USD.
61 billion USD includes the components below.
- Replenishment of Weapons already in Use
- Purchase of new Weapons based on battlefield requirement.
- Economic assistance in the form of forgivable loans
- Support Services, Military Training & Intelligence Sharing
The assets that will contribute to inflict the major impact.
- Artillery Shells 155mm & 105 mm including shells for HIMARS (This will help neutralize the massive upper hand of Russia in Artillery)
- Air defense Missiles (To save power plants and energy grid & medical infrastructure from Russian Missile Strikes)
- Long range Missiles (ATACMS) (To Strike strategic sites deep inside Russia, Crimea, Black Sea)
- 60 mm Mortar rounds
- Multipurpose Armored Vehicles
- TOW Missiles
- Javelin Missiles
The above impactful capabilities will embolden Ukraine to strike deep in Crimea and Black Sea or even Russian territory. Ukraine is also set to receive undisclosed number of F-16 fighter jets in second quarter of 2024, which will give Ukraine air force more teeth. This is bad news for Russia, because the escalating military expenditure may pose some long-term concerns in Moscow, although Moscow will maintain short-term growth.
However, Russia has benefited from the new energy procuring clients in Asia (India, China, Singapore) & Other parts of world like Turkiye, direct or indirect procurement of Russian oil even by Europe. Hence, the sanctions are inflicting minimum damage to Russian economy.
The politics in Russia is now within strong grip of President Vladimir Putin, with his overwhelming re-election recently in presence of a brutally crushed opposition. Given the ongoing situation, with continued support from the USA and other Western countries for Ukraine, and Russia’s determination to continue fighting until the last Ukrainian Soldiers stands, global attention is focused anxiously on the potential for an extended conflict and its implications for geopolitics, particularly trade.
In simpler terms, this assistance will empower Ukraine to continue defending itself and push back against Russian incursions, allowing them to regroup, attack & reclaim territories lost to the conflict. However, from a strategic and geopolitical perspective, this aid also reinforces the USA’s global leadership role and diminishes the risks for all of Europe should Ukraine succumb to Russian aggression.