War

Finland has approved its 26th defense assistance package for Ukraine and has already started working on the next one. This was reported by Finnish President Alexander Stubb during a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as informed by the President's Office and reported by Ukrinform. "Finland has approved the 26th defense assistance package for Ukraine and has already begun forming the next one," the statement says. During the conversation, President Zelensky informed Stubb about the need for additional air defense systems and capabilities. Zelensky thanked President Stubb for expressing readiness to help strengthen Ukraine's air defense. Read also: Finland…

The Biden administration is taking steps to speed up the delivery of arms packages to Ukraine, ensuring their arrival before the potential inauguration of Donald Trump. CNN reported this on Friday, citing a senior Biden administration official, according to Ukrinform. "The Biden administration is working to surge deliveries of weapons to Ukraine in its final days in office in a concerted effort to put Kyiv on a strong footing going into 2025, " the report states. This acceleration comes in response to statements by President-elect Trump, who has sharply criticized allowing Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied missiles to strike targets in…

Deputy Chief of Engineering Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Volodymyr Husar, assured that there are currently no problems with fortification on any front. Husar made this statement during a briefing on Friday, December 13, as reported by Ukrinform. "Concerns were raised earlier, but currently, there are no issues with fortification structures on any front. Today, all necessary materials are being supplied to military units and formations located on the front lines. Construction is also ongoing along other defense lines, including projects funded and directed by regional military administrations," Husar said. He emphasized that "all fortifications are being constructed according…

Ukraine’s Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, has shared the 2024 accomplishments of the IT Coalition established to support Ukraine. Umerov posted this on Facebook, as reported by Ukrinform. “Together with our international partners, we continue transforming the Defense Forces into one of the most technologically advanced armies in the world,” the Minister stated. Umerov outlined the IT Coalition’s key achievements this year, including the accumulation of EUR 482 million from partners to support Ukraine's military needs. With these funds, Ukrainian forces have been provided with secure communication systems and licenses for the SAP software have been purchased. This software digitizes supply and…

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine the Czech Republic has donated to Kyiv weapons and ammunition from own army stocks worth 7.3 billion Czech crowns (EUR 291.5 million). This was announced to journalists on Thursday by Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová, Ukrinform reports with reference to Radio Prague International. In addition, as a donor and coordinator, the Czech Republic participated in the supply of weapons and ammunition to Kyiv worth approximately 71.8 billion crowns (over $3 billion, or EUR 2.8 billion). Chernokhova also noted that the Czech army and defense industry have supplied Ukraine with more than 1,600 units of…

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine released a clarification on being delegated authority to procure defense goods worth UAH 23 billion, aiming to dispel a number of myths in this regard. That’s according to a post published on the agency’s Facebook page, seen by Ukrinform. "Before this case turns in the public opinion domain into allegations of "treason", "money laundering", "highest price tag", "unscrupulous suppliers" and the like, before the enemy starts exploiting this narrative in information warfare, we must clarify the issue. Once again we emphasize: the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine is an integral part of…

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal discussed with EU Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius at a meeting in Kyiv on December 13 cooperation between the defense industries of Ukraine and the EU. That’s according to the government press service, Ukrinform reports. “Further strengthening of cooperation between the European and Ukrainian defense industries is vital for strengthening the defense capabilities and readiness of the EU for any future aggression,” the head of the Ukrainian government noted at the meeting. Read also: Budanov meets with Ukrainian academics to discuss development of advanced weapon systems in Ukraine He also emphasized that…

Ukrainian arms producers have manufactured and installed a remotely controlled module involving 14.5mm and 7.62mm machine guns on an M113 armored personnel carrier. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense with reference to the Main Department for Lifecycle Support of Armaments and Military Equipment, Ukrinform saw. "Ukrainian gunsmiths have enhanced firepower of the M113 armored personnel carrier, which the Defense Forces receive as part of international assistance. They manufactured the Tavria 14.5/7.62 remotely controlled combat module and installed it on the APC armor," the report says. As noted by Deputy Minister of Defense Dmytro Klimenkov, thanks to the new…

The latest defense assistance package for Ukraine, announced by U.S. President Biden on Thursday, is estimated at $500 million. The relevant statement by State Secretary Antony Blinken was released by the Department’s press service on Thursday, Ukrinform reports. "This additional assistance, provided under previous drawdowns from Department of Defense stocks, is valued at $500 million," Secretary Blinken said. Read also: U.S. State Dep’t announces four packages of economic aid to Ukraine The package includes: Counter-unmanned aerial systems (c-UAS) munitions; Ammunition for HIMARS; 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition; High-speed anti-radiation missiles (HARMs); Unmanned aerial systems (UAS); and Mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles…

U.S. President Joe Biden has approved a new security and defense assistance package for Ukraine, which includes additional air defense systems, artillery capabilities, and other types of weaponry. This announcement was made by White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby during a press briefing in Washington on Thursday, as reported by a Ukrinform correspondent. Kirby stated that the President approved a new security assistance package for Ukraine which includes additional air defense capabilities, artillery, drones, and armored vehicles. He emphasized that the aid is being provided under the Presidential drawdown authority (PDA), and this package is the 72nd of…