The United States has approved an $825 million arms package for Ukraine, including 3,350 extended-range attack munition (ERAM) missiles and advanced GPS navigation systems, in a move that comes amid fresh Russian missile barrages on Kyiv.
The State Department said Thursday it had notified Congress of the deal, which also includes spares, accessories, training, and technical support. Funding will be drawn from NATO partners Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway, in addition to American foreign military aid.
“This sale underpins US foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening a partner committed to political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the department said.
The deal follows two earlier US packages in July worth $322m (air defences, armoured vehicles) and $330m (air defence systems and artillery upkeep).
Russia’s Deadly Assault on Kyiv
Hours before the announcement, Russia launched one of its heaviest strikes on the Ukrainian capital in months, killing 21 people, including four children, and injuring at least 48 others.
Kyiv officials reported missiles or debris hitting 33 locations across all 10 districts, damaging nearly 100 buildings, including a central shopping mall. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia used 598 drones and decoys along with 31 missiles, marking a rare large-scale strike inside central Kyiv.
Rescue operations continued late into Thursday night.
Diplomatic Fallout
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said blasts struck within 50 metres of the EU Mission in Kyiv, warning that “no diplomatic mission should ever be a target.”
- The British Council’s Kyiv office was destroyed, prompting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to accuse Moscow of “sabotaging peace hopes with senseless strikes.”
- London and Brussels summoned Russian envoys, while the UN Security Council will hold an emergency session Friday.
Peace Talks in Limbo
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s “choice of ballistics over negotiation,” urging tougher US sanctions.
US President Donald Trump, who recently met Vladimir Putin in Alaska, expressed frustration at stalled peace efforts. He warned of “next steps within two weeks” if direct talks between Putin and Zelenskyy do not materialize.
Western officials believe Moscow is delaying diplomacy while expanding battlefield control. Ukrainian commanders confirmed Russia had seized new territory in an eighth region this week.
Moscow’s Justification
Russia’s Defence Ministry insisted the strikes targeted Ukraine’s “military-industrial complex”, using long-range weapons including Kinzhal missiles. It also claimed to have shot down 102 Ukrainian drones overnight, while acknowledging fires at two Russian oil refineries following Ukrainian drone attacks.
