Biden sending Ukraine $5.5 billion in additional aid as Russia war continues

The United States is sending billions of dollars more in fiscal and military aid to Ukraine. This latest round of support includes the largest single military aid package since the war against Russia began almost six months ago.

This most recent round of aid totals $5.5 billion. $4.5 billion of that includes fiscal aid, while $1 billion includes military aid. President Joe Biden authorized the package this week. The funds will come from the $40 billion approved by Congress to help fund Ukraine’s cost of the war against Russia.

According to the Pentagon, Ukraine will get close to 50 M113 armored medical transports and munitions for several types of rocket systems, including the HIMARS long-range rocket launcher and the NASAMS surface-to-air missile system.

This week, the Pentagon also acknowledged for the first time sending Ukraine anti-radar missiles. These types of missiles have a range of at least 30 miles. In Ukraine, they’re serving their purpose and having large impacts on Russia’s radar systems.

If Russia has no radar, Russian soldiers can’t target Ukraine’s planes or artillery batteries. So, the need for these rockets is clear.

So is the need for humanitarian help. The $4.5 billion of fiscal aid—cash—will help Ukraine fund essential programs. Since the start of the war, USAID said Ukraine has been using funds from the U.S. to feed and house the millions of people displaced by the war, pay healthcare workers, or keep electricity and gas flowing to schools and hospitals.

Ukraine officials estimate the country is running a $5 billion-per-month fiscal shortfall because of the war and declining tax revenues. The World Bank estimates 55% of Ukrainians will be living in poverty by the end of 2023.

A third-party watchdog is tasked with making sure the funds are distributed appropriately.

Since the start of the war, the United States has given more than $18 billion in aid to Ukraine.

Reuters contributed to this report.