On Tuesday evening, the US Senate approved a bill sending $61 Billion of aid to Ukraine. The total aid budget is $96 Billion to Israel, Taiwan, and Israel. The Senate voted 79 to 18.
Image belongs to Copyright Holder. Image from – AP Senior Airman Stephani Barge/U.S. Air Force via AP
This comes after the Ukraine aid portion of the bill was not brought to the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote. The House of Representatives finally voted and agreed to send $61 Billion to Ukraine in military aid. The vote passed 311 to 112.
It is expected the bill will send desperately needed artillery shells and other Western weapons systems that have already been given. For example, Javelin missile systems, jeeps, and 155 mm artillery shell rounds.
Consequently, the UK pledged £3 Billion of Ukraine aid. Due to the influence of the United States, UK aid would be insufficient and inert in affecting the Ukrainian war.
Can the West help any more?
The Russian Ministry of Defence said they will increase the artillery shell bombings on Ukrainian lines to display that this aid will make life on the front line even harder.
Russia currently makes 200,000 artillery shells a day whereas the US makes approximately 2500.
Joe Biden signed the Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan aid bill on Wednesday morning. He expects the aid to be sent off sometime this week and to gradually arrive in sections over a month.
Sections ensure that the entire convoy of packages will not be destroyed by Russian missile strikes. Not putting the weapons in one place all at once, increases the likelihood of it getting to Ukrainian positions, where it can be used.
Western support for Ukraine comes ahead of a large Russian Summer offensive where they are to push along the entirety of the front line. Ukraine has taken up more defensive positions due to its current lack of weapons.
Their current Ukrainian army doctrine is to only shoot when they are 100% sure of the Russian positions and to not waste ammunition/artillery shell rounds.
Will Ukraine aid help?
Despite Ukraine now having a major re-stocking of weapons, they are still losing the battle of recruitment. The Ukrainian army is trying to recruit another 500,000 soldiers. Furthermore, the age and quality of the conscripts have deteriorated since the start of the war. Last February, the average age of a soldier was between 30 and 35, it is now 43.
Ukrainian Army trying to recruit people in gyms and malls.
Image belongs to Copyright Holder. Image from – Getty Images
The rapid aging of the army demonstrates that the Ukrainians are running out of scriptable young men and are having to recruit older men. Most young Ukrainian men who have not yet been conscripted are either studying or have fled.
If you are a student doing their first degree you don’t yet have to serve. Young Men have been trying to flee Ukrainian mobilisation due to the high likelihood of death on the Ukrainian side. The Ukrainian army and police have been cracking down on the smuggling of healthy men out of the country.
Due to the recruitment crisis, men who are in support roles will be moved to front-line battle positions. Their support roles will then be staffed by women. Male soldiers who are not on the front line will be sent there and their role replaced by a woman.
What are Israel and Taiwan receiving?
Israel is receiving $26 Billion, with more than $9 Billion going towards humanitarian assistance in Gaza. $4 Billion would go directly into Israel’s missile defense system to defend themselves from more attacks. After Iran and her proxies sent over 300 missiles and drones toward Israel, it proved the capability of the system.
IDF soldiers on a training mission in Northern Israel.
Image belongs to Copyright Holder. Image from – IDF
$8 Billion will go to Taiwan and US allies in the Indo-Pacific. Submarine bases are the primary focus with $3.3 Billion going towards building and repairing submarine infrastructure in the region. An additional $2 Billion will go to Taiwan to replenish and update their weapons supply.
All images belong to Copyright Holders
Cover Image – New York Times
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