US gives new $400mn military aid to Ukraine; Kyiv to get its first F-16 jets soon

A high-ranking Ukrainian military source said on Friday (May 10) that the nation expects to receive its first F-16 fighter jets from its Western allies in June-July, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile, the United States announced a new $400 million military aid package for Kyiv - a third package for the war-ravaged country in less than three weeks, after two in late April at a total of $7 billion.

The White House released a memo stating that President Joe Biden authorised "up to $400 million in defence articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Ukraine."

The development came on the day when the Ukrainian defence ministry said that Russia had launched an armoured ground attack into the northeast Kharkiv region and made limited gains - a move that has opened a new front in the war.

However, the memo did not provide details on the aid package.

Since the war started in February 2022, the US has supported Ukraine by providing crucial military aid. America has committed more than $44 billion in guns, ammunition, and other security aid.

Notably, before April 24, the US had announced new aid for Ukraine on just one other occasion this year, which was a $300 million package in March.

The US Congress had not approved large-scale assistance for Kyiv in nearly a year and a half but finally acted after months of discussion among members about how or if to assist Ukraine in defending itself.

Watch: Russia warns of 'enormous danger' if NATO sends troops to Ukraine

US-made F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine?

Ukraine has often appealed to the West to send new-age fighter jets, such as US-made F-16s, to help it counter Russia's air superiority. Now, the latest source-based reports suggest that Kyiv might get the jets in June or July.

However, the source did not say which country would supply the jets. So far, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium have committed to sending F-16s to Ukraine.

Russia has already issued a warning, saying that the expected arrival of F-16s in Ukraine would be treated as an escalation given their potential as nuclear-weapon platforms.

In a statement, per the state media outlet Sputnik, "No matter what modification of the aircraft will be supplied, we will treat them as nuclear-capable and we will consider this step of the United States and NATO as a purposeful provocation."

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(With inputs from agencies)