The $250 million package will include air defense system components and artillery shells.

Ukraine has welcomed the United States’ latest arms package to help its fight against Russia as the war nears the two-year mark.

The $250 million package announced Wednesday evening will include air defense system components, ammunition for HIMARS, 155mm and 105mm artillery shells, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and medical equipment.

“We are grateful to the American government and people for their unwavering support. The Ukrainian people value your leadership,” the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said on X on Thursday.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said it would “meet Ukraine’s most urgent needs.”

“U.S. leadership in the coalition of more than 50 countries providing military assistance to Ukraine is critical to combating terror and aggression not only in Ukraine but around the world,” he said.

thank you @POTUS Joe Biden, Congress and the American people for the $250 million military aid package announced yesterday.

Additional anti-aircraft missiles and components, anti-tank weapons, ammunition, demining equipment and other equipment will meet Ukraine’s most urgent needs.…

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Volodymyr Zelensky (@ZelenskyyUa) December 28, 2023

US President Joe Biden has asked Congress to provide another one $61 billion in aid to Ukraine. But Republicans refuse to agree to the package without Democrats agreeing to tighten security at the US-Mexico border.

The White House has warned that without the additional funding, U.S. aid will fail The Struggle of Ukraine against Russia will expire by the end of the year.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that the West’s strategic defeat by Moscow had been a “complete failure.”

Lavrov told Russian state media that the Group of Seven intended to discuss the “peace formula” proposed by Zelensky, which they agreed on at a “secret summit” about 10 days ago.

Cargo ship rams mine

Meanwhile, a bulk carrier heading to a Danube port to load grain hit a Russian mine in the Black Sea on Wednesday, injuring two crew members, Ukrainian officials said Thursday.

“A Panama-flagged civilian ship was blown up on an enemy sea mine in the Black Sea… The ship lost its course and control and a fire broke out on the upper deck,” Ukraine’s Southern Military Command said on Telegram.

A captain, a sailor and an Egyptian citizen were injured, and the latter was taken to a hospital in the city of Ismail, the head of the Odessa regional prosecutor’s office said.

Moscow has stepped up its attacks in the Black Sea since the United Nations-brokered exit Grain deal Mid-July, which allowed the safe passage of Ukrainian grain shipments.

Ukraine has pushed back Russian warships in the western part of the Black Sea to allow some cargo ships to enter and exit along a maritime corridor. But the water remains heavily mined, including by Russian aircraft, and is particularly dangerous in stormy weather.