The U.S. military disclosed its transfer of confiscated weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, repurposed from an intercepted Iranian shipment intended for Houthi forces in Yemen.
This recent aid infusion aids Ukraine’s efforts in countering Russian occupation, providing significant support despite Republican opposition to further assistance.
President Biden’s administration navigates Republican resistance to deliver vital aid to Kyiv, addressing urgent needs as Ukrainian forces face shortages of weapons and munitions.
The decision to repurpose intercepted weaponry underscores the determination to support Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict.
U.S. Central Command confirmed the delivery of sufficient equipment to equip a Ukrainian brigade, including AK-47s, machine guns, sniper rifles, and ammunition.
The transferred weaponry, seized from stateless vessels, was originally bound for Houthi militants through Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The assistance represents a strategic shift in supporting Ukraine, leveraging intercepted arms shipments to bolster its defense capabilities.
Despite Republican Speaker Mike Johnson‘s reluctance to call for a vote on $60 billion in new security aid, the Biden administration continues its commitment to Kyiv.
The intercepted weapons, comprising over 5,000 AK-47 assault rifles and hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition, were confiscated from vessels intercepted by U.S. naval ships and partner forces between May 2021 and February 2023. Iran’s UN mission refrained from commenting on the seized armaments.
