Ukrainian Aid Package for Drone Production

(Reuters) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Monday that the United States is preparing an aid package valued at $800 million to finance the production of Ukrainian drones.

In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy noted that this package is in addition to a previously announced $400 million package for new arms during U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's visit to Kyiv.

Zelenskiy stated, "A separate package is also being prepared — $800 million in funding for the production of Ukrainian drones." He expressed gratitude for this assistance, emphasizing the need for Ukraine to defend its sovereignty and independence despite global political threats.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has concentrated on boosting domestic weapons production, especially drones. Zelenskiy mentioned in a meeting with foreign arms manufacturers that Ukraine is capable of producing four million drones annually and is rapidly increasing its production of various weapons. He added that Ukraine has already contracted to produce 1.5 million drones this year.