Military Aid and Arms for Ukraine

Ukrainian soldiers handle equipment outside Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Saturday, February 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Marienko)
Ukrainian soldiers handle equipment outside Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Saturday, February 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Marienko)
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Military Aid and Arms for Ukraine

Ukrainian soldiers handle equipment outside Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Saturday, February 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Marienko)
Ukrainian soldiers handle equipment outside Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Saturday, February 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Marienko)

Several Western countries have provided Ukraine with military aid and weapons, since Russia invaded its neighbor on February 24.

Announced deliveries have mainly involved defensive weapons, but the situation is evolving fast, AFP said.

Among the offensive weapons which are playing an important role are US-made Javelin missile launchers capable of piercing the most sophisticated armor, such as T-90 Russian tanks, and Turkish drones.

Often the aid includes protective gear like helmets and body armor, and food rations.

Here is a panorama of announced military aid. It is not exhaustive and some of the promised aid has still to be delivered.

- United States -US President Joe Biden announced on April 21 a new package of $800 million in military aid for Ukraine.

The Pentagon said the newest round of US support will include 72 155mm howitzers, 72 armored vehicles to tow them, 144,000 rounds of ammunition, and more than 120 "Phoenix Ghost" tactical drones recently developed by the US Air Force specifically to address Ukraine's needs.

The new package follows another $800 million in military assistance announced by the White House on April 13, including helicopters, howitzers and armored personnel carriers.

Previously the United States had supplied or promised Ukraine 1,400 Stinger anti-aircraft systems, 5,000 Javelin anti-tank missiles, several thousand rifles with ammunition and a range of other equipment.

- Turkey - Kyiv had before the Russian invasion around 20 Bayraktar TB2 drones, built by the Turkish military.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in early March Kyiv had received new drones, which some experts number at 16.

Kyiv also said a TB2 acted as decoy, distracting the defenses of the Russian warship Moskva with a TB2, while it pounded it with missiles on the other side before sinking it last week.

Some experts say that Turkish drones continue to be delivered to Ukraine, something not confirmed by Ankara.

- United Kingdom -The UK says it has distributed more than 200,000 items so far, including 4,800 NLAW anti-tank missiles, and a small number of Javelin missiles.

It also announced it was sending 6,000 other missiles, consisting of anti-tank and high explosive weapons.

It has also sent Starstreak high-velocity anti-aircraft missiles and according to reports is planning to send Stormer armored missile launchers, on which Starstreak can be mounted.

It has also vowed to send 120 Mastiff, Wolfhound and Husky armored vehicles and a new anti-ship missile system.

It has also sent Poland a Sky Sabre medium-range, anti-air missile system.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on April 22 the UK is considering sending tanks to Poland so that Warsaw can send its own to Ukrainian forces fighting against Russia.

- Canada -Canada has since 2015 committed over $141 million Canadian dollars ($112.6 million) for defensive military equipment for Ukraine. Some $118 million of that has come since February 2022.

Since February Ottawa has announced that it is sending defensive military aid, weapons and ammunition, hand grenades, rocket launchers, surveillance and detection equipment.

This week, it sent for the first time to Ukraine heavy artillery -- M777 howitzers -- and munitions. It also said it was planning to send armored vehicles.

- Germany -At the beginning of the conflict, Germany announced it was sending 1,000 anti-tank weapons, 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles, around 2,700 Strela anti-aircraft missiles, and ammunition to Ukraine.

According to media reports, Germany has also sent around 100 machine guns, 100,000 grenades, 2,000 mines, 15 bunker busting bombs, detonators and explosive charges.

Germany also has a say in where weapons that used to belong to the former East German army end up. Berlin has approved requests from other countries (Estonia, Czech Republic) to send some of those ex-East German, Soviet-era weapons to Ukraine, including howitzers and armored personnel carriers.

- Spain -Spain has shipped 200 tons of military equipment, including 30 trucks, several special heavy transport vehicles, and 10 small vehicles loaded with the military material to Ukraine.

- France -France has delivered more than 100 million euros of military equipment to Ukraine, according to Defense Minister Florence Parly.

France is sending several heavy artillery pieces to Ukraine, President Emmanuel Macron said on April 22.

"We are delivering significant equipment, from Milan (anti-tank missiles) to Caesar (self-propelled howitzers)," Macron told regional newspaper Ouest-France.

- Nordic countries -Norway has sent 100 French-made Mistral anti-air missiles to Ukraine as well as 4,000 M72 anti-tank weapons.

Sweden announced in late February it would send 5,000 single use anti-tank launchers (internationally known as AT-4), then another 5,000 anti-tank launchers in March, along with demining equipment.

Finland announced in February it would send 2,500 assault rifles, 150,000 rounds of ammunition, and 1,500 single use anti-tank launchers. On March 24 the country said it would send another shipment of arms to Ukraine but did not provide specifics of what that would entail.

Denmark announced on February 27 that it would send 2,700 anti-tank launchers. On April 21, Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen, while on a visit to Kyiv, announced that her country would contribute another 600 million Danish kroner ($88 million) for weapons.

- Ukraine's neighbors - Poland has sent Ukraine drones, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Grot assault rifles, 60 mm mortars, and MANPADs short range surface to air missiles

There are also unconfirmed reports of Poland sending 40 T-72 tanks and 60 BMP-1 armored personnel carriers

Slovakia has so far contributed military material worth around 62.5 million euros and also provided an S-300 air defense system.

The EU member is also negotiating with Ukraine on the possibility of sending over Zuzana howitzers.

Romania said in late February it was sending fuel, ammunition and other military equipment totaling three million euros.

- Baltic states -Latvia has contributed military material worth more than 200 million euros -- including ammunition, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and their launch pads, unmanned aircraft and drones.

Lithuania said it has sent military aid to Ukraine worth "tens of millions" of euros. This includes Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, mortars, rifles, ammunition and other military equipment.

Estonia has given 227.5 million euros of military aid, including Javelin anti-tank missile system missiles, 122 mm howitzers, anti-tank mines and anti-tank guns, and handguns along with ammunition.

- Central and Eastern Europe -Slovenia announced in late February it was sending Kalashnikovs and ammunition.

According to German media Slovenia will send a large number of its assault tanks in return for German Marder tanks and Fuchs armored troop carriers.

Bulgaria is not officially providing military equipment to Ukraine due to opposition from pro-Russian socialists. But the country's exports of military equipment to EU countries almost tripled between February 20 and April 13 compared to the same period of 2021.

The Czech Republic has donated military material worth 45.2 million euros, including small arms and missiles. Local media have reported that Prague sent over Dana self-propelled howitzers and RM-70 Grad rocket launchers, Soviet-made T-72 tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. The defense ministry has also announced that Czech companies will repair the Ukrainian army’s tanks.

- Belgium, Netherlands, Greece, Italy -Belgium says it has sent 5,000 automatic rifles and anti tank weapons to Ukraine.

The Netherlands in late February promised the delivery of 200 Stinger missiles.

Greece has provided defensive aid, including 400 Kalashnikovs, launchers and ammunition.

Italy is keeping its arms deliveries to Ukraine under a veil of secrecy.

- Japan - Japan has announced it will send electric generators and drones to Ukraine.



French Police Detain Pupil Suspected in School Shooting in France in Which Two Were Wounded

Policemen stand in front of Joseph-Lakanal high school after a headmaster was injured by a hunting rifle shot and a teenager was arrested in Aubagne, southern France, on October 12, 2026. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP)
Policemen stand in front of Joseph-Lakanal high school after a headmaster was injured by a hunting rifle shot and a teenager was arrested in Aubagne, southern France, on October 12, 2026. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP)
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French Police Detain Pupil Suspected in School Shooting in France in Which Two Were Wounded

Policemen stand in front of Joseph-Lakanal high school after a headmaster was injured by a hunting rifle shot and a teenager was arrested in Aubagne, southern France, on October 12, 2026. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP)
Policemen stand in front of Joseph-Lakanal high school after a headmaster was injured by a hunting rifle shot and a teenager was arrested in Aubagne, southern France, on October 12, 2026. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP)

Police have detained a 14-year-old pupil suspected in a rare school shooting in France that wounded the principal and another staff member, according to The Associated Press on Monday.

The Bouches-du-Rhône police department, in southern France, said the suspect’s motive was unknown. The 14-year-old boy taken into custody Monday was carrying a gun, police said. The staff members were hit with ammunition used in 12-gauge shotguns, police said.

It’s not clear whether the shooting was in any way connected to the protest movement by high school pupils that has been shaking France for several weeks. The shooting occurred outside a middle school that wasn’t impacted by the protests on Monday, police said.


US Republicans, Democrats Want Trump to Reverse Course on Russia Diesel

US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin (AFP) 
US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin (AFP) 
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US Republicans, Democrats Want Trump to Reverse Course on Russia Diesel

US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin (AFP) 
US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin (AFP) 

Republican and Democratic US senators called on President Donald Trump on Sunday to “reverse course” on his diesel supply deal with Russia, saying it runs counter to US law barring imports of energy until Russia ends its aggression against Ukraine.

“Congress explicitly banned Russian energy imports in 2022 to prevent American dollars from financing (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine,” the seven senators – four of Trump’s fellow Republicans and three Democrats – said in a statement, according to Reuters.

They also said that the administration failed to consult with Congress or submit any explanation of its decision, something also required by law.

“The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. The Administration must immediately reverse course,” the statement said.

It was only the latest bipartisan criticism of Trump's deal, a shift from his party's near-unanimous support for Trump's foreign policy decision weeks before November 3 midterm elections that will determine whether his Republicans will retain their control of Congress.

It was issued by Republican Senators Susan Collins of ⁠Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Curtis of Utah and Democrats Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Ron Wyden of Oregon.

Tillis had said earlier on Sunday that the diesel deal may be illegal and would put American lives at risk.

Trump said on Friday that Russia had agreed to supply diesel to global markets, and his administration temporarily lifted US sanctions on Russian fuel designed to deprive Moscow of revenue for its war on Ukraine.

“I do believe there’s a legitimate case for saying the president’s not following the law,” Tillis, who is retiring from the Senate in January, told NBC's “Meet the Press.”

Prices for diesel — used for agriculture, heating homes and trucking — are near record highs and could hurt Republicans in next month's congressional elections.

Analysts have said that Trump's agreement with Moscow was unlikely to lead to sustained lower fuel prices.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News on Sunday that the Trump administration will follow through with the deal using existing legal authority, and the agreement was good for the American people and would bring prices down.

“We're going to do it with all the legal authorities ‌we have. ⁠So, you know, anyone in Congress who says whether it's an old bill or the current Lindsey Graham bill (that) prohibits us from doing it is wrong,” Bessent told “Fox & Friends.”

Trump last month signed a sweeping Russia sanctions bill into law, called the “Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026,” to honor the South Carolina Republican and longtime Russia hawk who died in July.

Some other Republicans had also criticized the diesel plan. Retiring Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska said on X on Friday that “propping up Putin's war economy is morally wrong as he uses that money to bomb cities.”

Mike Pence, Trump's former vice president, called his decision to lift ⁠sanctions on Russian oil a “betrayal" of Graham’s legacy and urged the president to “rescind” it.


Top NATO Commander Set to Issue Warning to Russia over Any Attack

The move from the top military commander comes as NATO seeks to send a message to Moscow to halt what Western officials say is a 'hybrid' campaign of sabotage and interference against Ukraine's backers. NICOLAS MAETERLINCK / Belga/AFP
The move from the top military commander comes as NATO seeks to send a message to Moscow to halt what Western officials say is a 'hybrid' campaign of sabotage and interference against Ukraine's backers. NICOLAS MAETERLINCK / Belga/AFP
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Top NATO Commander Set to Issue Warning to Russia over Any Attack

The move from the top military commander comes as NATO seeks to send a message to Moscow to halt what Western officials say is a 'hybrid' campaign of sabotage and interference against Ukraine's backers. NICOLAS MAETERLINCK / Belga/AFP
The move from the top military commander comes as NATO seeks to send a message to Moscow to halt what Western officials say is a 'hybrid' campaign of sabotage and interference against Ukraine's backers. NICOLAS MAETERLINCK / Belga/AFP

NATO's top military commander is expected to deliver a warning to Russia on Monday over the alliance's ability to counter any attack, as worries grow over the threat from Moscow.

NATO officials have said US General Alexus Grynkewich -- the alliance's Supreme Allied Commander Europe -- will elaborate his "theory of victory" over any potential attack at a security conference in Warsaw, reported AFP.

The move from the top military commander comes as NATO seeks to send a message to Moscow to halt what Western officials say is a "hybrid" campaign of sabotage and interference against Ukraine's backers in the war against Russia.

Fears have grown in recent months that the Kremlin is stepping up its actions after high-profile incidents including the discovery of an explosive-laden drone at a German airport.

"The Supreme Allied Commander Europe's theory of victory is simple: maintain NATO's advantage, which is consistent with and grounded upon the alliance's deterrence and defense plans," Colonel Martin O'Donnell, a spokesman for the US general, said last week.

"But given the unsettled and complex global security environment, we need to set conditions now to deter aggression and, if necessary, win if attacked," O'Donnell said, noting the theory sets out a framework to do just that.

NATO -- which was founded in the wake of World War II to counter the Soviet Union -- traditionally closely guards its defense plans to counter any attack by Russia.

Grynkewich's intervention looks unlikely to divulge many new details on NATO's strategy and is intended to both send a signal to Moscow and reassure members on the alliance's eastern flank.

NATO insists it remains a defensive alliance and has no intention of attacking Russia.

Western officials say that Moscow's "hybrid attacks" have become more reckless as the Kremlin's forces are stalled in Ukraine, and that they risk causing significant loss of life.

The alliance -- whose primary purpose is deterring an armed Russian invasion -- has struggled to work out how to cope with incidents in the grey zone beneath open conflict.

NATO civilian head Mark Rutte has urged countries to keep "calm, carry on and support Ukraine".

"We should not be naive... about Russia, but they know we are stronger," Rutte said last month.

But the uptick in Russian activity comes at a time of potential vulnerability for Europe. Allies are currently bracing for possible cuts to US forces in Europe as the Pentagon conducts a review of its deployments on the continent.

The results of the process are expected to be announced towards the end of the year.

European countries are already rushing to bolster their militaries as doubts have soared over the reliability of the United States under President Donald Trump.