The United States has, for the first time, announced its intention to send uranium-based tank ammunition to Ukraine.
This type of ammunition is being sent as Ukrainian forces launch a counterattack to push Russia out of occupied territories.
The decision was made by the United States as part of a plan to send 31 M1 Abrams tanks, which are the primary combat tanks of the United States, to Ukraine.
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The tanks are expected to be sent to Ukraine “soon,” according to the White House on Wednesday.
Russia has warned that it will consider the delivery of uranium-based armor-piercing ammunition as an escalation of the conflict.
Just hours before the U.S. statement, Russia launched an artillery attack on a market in eastern Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 civilians.
The U.S. Department of Defense has not yet specified how much uranium-based ammunition will be sent to Ukraine.
The supply of anti-tank ammunition is part of a military aid package worth $175 million USD (Rp2.66 trillion) from the United States to Ukraine.
The aid package was announced while U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was on a two-day visit to the war-torn country.
Blinken arrived in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, by train to meet with high-ranking Ukrainian officials.
This marks Blinken’s fourth visit to Ukraine since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
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Ahead of a closed-door meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Blinken stated that the Biden administration is “committed” to maintaining solidarity with Kiev.
Blinken also noted that the U.S. currently sees “significant progress being made in the counterattack, and it is very encouraging.”
