President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that the US will send its "most cutting-edge systems" to Ukraine as he announced a sweeping new military aid package.
Biden said he is authorizing $800 million worth of security assistance for Ukraine, bringing the total to $1 billion this week alone.
Included in the military package are 800 anti-aircraft systems, 9,000 anti-armor systems, 7,000 small arms like machine guns, grenade launchers, pistols, and shotguns, and 20 million rounds of ammunition.
More specifically, the administration said the package will include Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, similar shoulder-fired AT-4 weapons effective against armored vehicles, mortar rounds, body armor, and helmets.
Biden said the delivery of an unspecified make of "tactical" drones, included in the spending package, represents "our commitment to sending our most cutting-edge systems to Ukraine for defense," Biden said in a briefing at the White House.
"We're united in our abhorrence of Putin's depraved onslaught and we'll continue to have their backs as they fight for freedom, democracy, their very survival," Biden said.
He continued: "We're going to give Ukraine the arms to fight and defend themselves through all the difficult days ahead."
The US has some of the world's most formidable drones, capable of detecting enemies across wide areas or launching targeted strikes against leaders or military targets. The administration did not specify if it would be giving the Ukrainians an advanced drone like the MQ-9 Reaper, a weapon the size of a fighter aircraft that could fall into Russian hands in combat over Ukraine, potentially giving them access to its sophisticated technology.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.