US Command confirms over 98% of promised tanks delivered to Ukraine
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Per the NYT, Ukraine is preparing up to 12 Ukrainian combat brigades consisting of around 4,000 soldiers each for a counteroffensive against Russia in May.
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Gen. Christopher Cavoli, European Commander of the US Army, in Bremen, Germany, on Feb. 21, 2020 (AP)
Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander of the US European Command Christopher Cavoli confirmed on Wednesday that over 98% of the tanks and combat vehicles promised to be given by the US and its allies have already been delivered to Ukraine for its counteroffensive.
During a House Committee on Armed Services hearing, Cavoli said: “We sat down with the Ukrainians … and we calculated the amount of material they would need for this [counter]offensive. We checked it a couple of times and we gathered it from our allies, who were very generous, especially with regard to tanks and armored fighting vehicles, and we have been shipping it into the country. Over 98% of the combat vehicles are already there,”
According to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine scheduled its counteroffensive for the summer, but US media reported that it was due to start on April 30.
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The Foreign Policy newspaper reported last week, citing Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandra Ustinova, that the counteroffensive was postponed from its original start date in April due to a lack of weapons.
The New York Times cited leaked Pentagon documents stating that Ukraine is preparing up to 12 Ukrainian combat brigades consisting of around 4,000 soldiers each for a counteroffensive against Russia in May.
The latest military aid package to Ukraine was announced in February by the Pentagon amounting to $460 million, including more ammunition for US-made equipment that already made it to Ukraine, as well as new equipment units.
Among other things, the US added additional 155mm artillery rounds, 120mm mortar rounds, approximately 2,000 anti-armor missiles, as well as four Bradley Infantry Fire Support Team vehicles, spare parts, and other field equipment, the DoD said.
