Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman General Mark Milley last week went to an undisclosed airport near the Ukrainian border that has become a major arms depot, said a Ministry of Defense official, who witnessed international efforts to acquire weapons in Ukraine during the Russian war. unauthorized attack.
While at the airport, Milley met with soldiers and staff and inspected the shipping work, the official said Friday. The site has become a hotbed of activity in recent days, ranging from a few flights each day to as many as 17, a large stadium capacity.
The airport location remains confidential to protect the shipment of weapons, including anti-aircraft missiles, to Ukraine. Russian troops did not recognize the goods once they entered Ukraine, the official said, but there were concerns that Russia could begin identifying the goods as the attack continued.
Even before the Russian offensive began late last month, the skies over Europe were flooded with US military aircraft carriers and, in particular, C-17s, the backbone of American aircraft carriers. The planes have been placing troops in the eastern part of NATO, but they are also transporting weapons to transfer areas where they can be brought to Ukraine. Flight speed only increased.
The US European Command (EUCOM) is at the heart of a major transit operation, using its network of partners and allies to link “real-time” shipments to Ukraine, says a second defense official.
EUCOM is also consulting with other countries, including the United Kingdom, about the delivery process “to ensure that we use our resources more efficiently to support the Ukrainian people in an orderly manner,” the official said.
Since the start of the Russian invasion, 14 countries have sent security to Ukraine, said the official, some of whom were not accustomed to sending so much equipment before.
The “majority” of the US $ 350 million package has already been brought to Ukraine, according to the official, just one week after being officially approved by the White House.
About $ 240 million of the package has reached Ukraine, and some should arrive within days and perhaps weeks, “but not for long,” the official said on Friday. The components introduced include “much-needed skills, such as combat capabilities.”
Once armed, the Ukrainians have used them to reduce and stop Russian attacks in various parts of Ukraine.
“I think we are all very impressed with the way the Ukrainian Armed Forces used the tools we provided them,” the official said.
Perhaps most notably, the Russian fleet of 25 miles [40 km] north of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, is relatively new.
“We know they attacked that vehicle, and that attack was successful in reducing and stopping it,” another security official said on Friday.
The equipment deployed is equipment that Ukrainian people have already received training in, including “timely” training in late December and early January, the chief executive said, adding that Ukrainian people could “make good use of the majority”. of military supplies shipped.
The speed at which the US now delivers weapons to Ukraine is much faster than two months ago. Most of the $ 200 million package approved by the end of December was delivered within a month, though some of the coins had not yet been shipped, the official said.
Meanwhile, the entire $ 350 million package, which an official described as the biggest presidential reduction in history, should be completed within days or weeks.