Washington will provide an additional $2.98 billion in weapons and equipment to Ukraine as the European country celebrates its national day, US President Joe Biden has said.
“Today is not only a celebration of the past, but a resounding affirmation that Ukraine proudly remains — and will remain — a sovereign and independent nation,” Mr Biden said on Wednesday.
The US has provided $13.6bn in military aid to Ukraine so far.
The White House said the latest tranche of aid would be provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, a programme approved by Congress that allows the Biden administration to procure weapons from industry, rather than taking them from existing defence stocks.
Included in the package are hand-launched Puma drones, equipment for long-endurance ScanEagle surveillance drones launched by catapult as well as the Vampire anti-drone system, which can be launched off of ships.
The package also provides funding for six surface-to-air missile systems as well as munitions for them, 24 counter-artillery radars, more than 300,000 rounds of artillery and mortar ammunition and a "substantial package" for training, maintenance and sustainment of these systems.
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A young girl displays some patriotism during an event in central Brussels for Ukrainian Independence Day, which arrive six months to the day since Russia's invasion. AP -
A giant sculpture of a defiant hand with fingernails painted in the colours of Ukraine stands outside the Russian embassy in Prague, Czech Republic. AFP -
A woman visits the tomb of her relative, a Ukrainian serviceman who was killed in a fight against Russian troops, in Lviv. Reuters -
A vast Ukrainian flag is unfurled on Independence Day in the historical Grand Place of Brussels. AP -
Russian tanks that were captured by the Ukrainian army are displayed on Khreshchatyk on Independence Day in central Kyiv. EPA -
A march on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, south-eastern France. AFP -
Ukrainians young and old gather at Circular Quay in Sydney. Getty Images -
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena attend a commemoration ceremony in Kyiv. AFP -
Ukrainians and supporters in Sydney marks the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of 1991, which ended Soviet rule. Getty Images -
The main square in Kyiv has been turned into an open-air military museum for Ukrainian Independence Day. AFP -
Destroyed Russian military vehicles installed in central Kyiv, where authorities have banned mass gatherings in the capital for fear of Russian missile attacks. AP -
Larry the cat stands under a floral display to mark Ukraine's Independence Day outside No 10 Downing Street, central London. Reuters -
Ukrainians take part in a demonstration in the lead-up to Independence Day and six months since the Russian invasion began, in Valletta, Malta. Reuters -
The Academy Symphony Orchestra of the Luhansk Regional Philharmonic performs during a charity concert in support of the armed forces of Ukraine, in Lviv. Getty Images -
Central Kyiv is full of reminders of the continuing war on Independence Day. AFP -
Ukrainian and American flags raised on a street in New York to mark the occasion. AFP -
Dynamo Kyiv players wrapped in Ukrainian national flags before their second-leg Champions League play-off match against Benfica in Lisbon. EPA -
The Triton Fountain in Valletta is lit in Ukrainian colours. Reuters -
Ukrainians show support in the Maltese capital. Reuters -
'The Train to Victory', sitting at Kyiv railway station, consists of seven carriages painted by Ukrainian artists, each dedicated to the occupied territories of Ukraine. The train was to arrive in the western city of Uzhgorod on Independence Day. EPA -
Support for Ukraine in Zagreb, Croatia. AFP -
People arriving on Khreschatyk Street in Kyiv, where events to mark Ukraine's Independence Day are being held. Getty Images
Wednesday's $3bn package is "not relevant to the fight today, tomorrow, next week. It is relevant to the ability of Ukraine to defend itself and deter further aggression, a year from now, two years," Colin Kahl, under secretary of defence for policy, said during a news briefing at the Pentagon.
In addition, the package is meant to reassure Ukrainian officials of America's long-term commitment to supporting the country as it continues to fight Russia.
Ukraine's independence day was a bittersweet occasion for many, as it coincided with the six-month mark of a brutal Russian invasion that has killed 5,800 civilians so far, including 972 children, the United Nations says.
“Six months of relentless attacks have only strengthened Ukrainians’ pride in themselves, in their country and in their 31 years of independence,” Mr Biden said.
“Today and every day, we stand with the Ukrainian people to proclaim that the darkness that drives autocracy is no match for the flame of liberty that lights the souls of free people everywhere.”
Officials in the US capital joined the president in marking the occasion and condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin's war-waging.
"President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people have inspired the world with their courage and patriotism in the face of Vladimir Putin’s violent, unlawful aggression towards their country, especially in the past six months," said Rep Adam Smith, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, in a statement on Wednesday.
"I witnessed this resilience first-hand during my visit to Kyiv just last month and I have been proud to support legislation that aids the Ukrainian people in their brave struggle for independence, sovereignty and freedom."
In keeping with the solidarity between Washington and Kyiv, Michael McCaul, Republican leader on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said: "The significance of Ukraine’s 31st Independence Day cannot be understated. The US will never recognise any territory illegally occupied by the murderous Putin regime."
The latest batch of military support from the US could take months to arrive in Europe, given that companies have still to procure the arms, Reuters reported.
Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin shared photos on Twitter of US troops loading Ukraine-bound munition packages.
US defence leaders are also considering plans to expand training for Ukrainian armed forces on Europe’s eastern and southern flanks that are most prone to Russia’s aggression.
Additional reporting by Kyle Fitzgerald
