Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has cautioned that the Kremlin will increase its attacks on Western weapons stored in Ukraine.
“We will enhance the frequency of attacks on logistics centers and storage bases for Western weapons,” Shoigu stated on Tuesday, as reported by Russian state-owned outlet RIA Novosti.
The warning from Shoigu came just as the House passed the $95 billion foreign aid package over the weekend and cleared the Senate Tuesday night. It is now on its way to President Biden’s desk to be signed.
The foreign aid for embattled U.S. allies comprises $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid in Gaza, $8 billion for Taiwan and additional U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific plus approximately $61 billion for Ukraine.
“I will sign this bill into law and address the American people as soon as it reaches my desk tomorrow so we can begin sending weapons and equipment to Ukraine this week,” Biden said in a statement Tuesday night.
The new funding will offer Kyiv with much-needed weapons and reinforcement to combat Russia’s full-scale invasion that has lasted for over two years.
Shoigu’s warning comes as the Biden administration is gearing up to send a $1 billion weapons package to Ukraine.
The package, larger than the previous $300 million authorized in March, will include Stinger air defense munitions, vehicles, 155-millimeter artillery ammunition, Javelin anti-tank munitions, TOW and additional ammunition for artillery rocket systems, according to Reuters, as reported by two U.S. officials.
“The need is urgent: for Ukraine, facing unrelenting bombardment from Russia; for Israel, which just faced unprecedented attacks from Iran; for refugees and those impacted by conflicts and natural disasters around the world, including in Gaza, Sudan, and Haiti; and for our partners seeking security and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” Biden stated in a message.
