The US has suspended deliveries of several types of missiles and ammunition to Ukraine, reported Politico citing sources. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly confirmed this to journalists, citing Pentagon concerns that stockpiles of certain types of American weapons have been significantly reduced. According to her, «this was done to prioritize America's interests following the Pentagon's review of US aid to other countries worldwide».
The types of weapons affected by the deliveries included Patriot air defense systems, precision artillery shells, and missiles that the Ukrainian Air Force launches from American F-16 fighters.
As sources from NBC clarify, the suspension will affect the delivery of several dozen missiles for Patriot air defense systems, several thousand 155-millimeter artillery shells, over a hundred Hellfire missiles, more than 250 rounds for the GMLRS multiple launch rocket system, as well as several dozen grenade launchers, Stinger surface-to-air missiles, and AIM air-to-air missiles.
As noted by The New York Times, some of these systems were supposed to be delivered to Ukraine within the next year. However, for Vladimir Putin, this may signal that the US is gradually withdrawing from its role as the main supplier of modern weapons to Ukraine, which in turn may push Putin to prolong ceasefire negotiations, expecting that Ukrainian forces will soon run out of ammunition and missile defense systems.
The reduction in deliveries also comes amid intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, for instance, on the night of June 29, Russian forces launched nearly 500 drones and 60 missiles at Ukraine.
Photo: Paula Bronstein/Getty Images