US discusses fast delivery to Ukraine of Mi-17, Stinger, and Javelin MANPADS

By TOC

WASHINGTON – The new package of military assistance to Ukraine with additional weapons is being considered by the administration of US President Joe Biden amid fears of a possible Russian invasion, learned BulgarianMilitary.com, citing Defense Express.

Additional US assistance should include sending US military advisers to Ukraine with additional weapons. The details are currently being discussed in the US administration against the background of information about the threat of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This is stated in the material of CNN US considering sending extra weapons to Ukraine as fears mount over potential Russian invasion

The new “weapon” package may include new Javelin anti-tank missiles, Stinger air defense systems, mortars.

It is also noted that the US Department of Defense insists on sending to Ukraine some equipment that was to be sent to Afghanistan, such as Mi-17 helicopters. The Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter that the United States originally bought for delivery to the Afghans. The Pentagon is now considering what to do with them after the United States leaves Afghanistan in August.

At the same time, the administration will consider that the sending of Stingers and helicopters could be seen in Russia as a serious escalation of the conflict.

Retired Lt. Col. Cedric Leighton told CNN that Javelin was “very effective against the tanks that the Russians are using in their efforts against Ukraine right now.” But he noted that any additional assistance to Ukraine undoubtedly threatens to “further escalate tensions” in relations with Moscow.

Also, as reported by CNN, US officials are in talks with European allies to develop a new package of sanctions, which will take effect if Russia invades Ukraine.

Earlier, some American media outlets covered the increase in Russian forces near Ukraine’s borders. On Sunday, the head of the Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate, Kirill Budanov, told the Military Times about threatening assessments of Russia’s possible actions against Ukraine in the coming months.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia may be preparing a full-scale attack in January – late February. He also argued that Ukraine just now needed more US military assistance amid the threat of a new Russian invasion. According to him, the use of anti-tank systems Javelin and Bayraktar drones in the Donbas is a good psychological deterrent – and the Russians will think twice before going on the attack.

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