US largest aid package to Ukraine, Russian Ka-32 helicopter destroyed in Moscow - Friday brief

United States allocates largest military aid package to Ukraine worth $6 billion

The United States has allocated the largest military aid package to Ukraine. Its total value is 6 billion dollars.

"It will include critical interceptors for Ukraine’s Patriot and NASAMS air defense systems, more counter-drone systems and support equipment, significant amounts of artillery ammunition, and air-to-ground munitions and maintenance and sustainment support," said the head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin.

What weapons will the Armed Forces of Ukraine receive

• Additional munitions for Patriot air defense systems;
• Additional munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS);
• Equipment to integrate Western air defense launchers, missiles, and radars with Ukraine's air defense systems;
• Counter-UAS equipment and systems;
• Munitions for laser-guided rocket systems;
• Multi-mission radars;
• Counter-artillery radars;
• Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
• 155mm and 152mm artillery rounds;
• Precision aerial munitions;
• Switchblade and Puma Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS);
• Tactical vehicles to tow weapons and equipment;
• Demolition munitions;
• Components to support Ukrainian production of UAS and other capabilities;
• Small arms and additional small arms ammunition;
• Ancillary items and support for training, maintenance, and sustainment activities.

Ukrainian intelligence destroys Russian MoD's Ka-32 helicopter in Moscow

Ukrainian intelligence destroyed a Russian Ka-32 helicopter in Moscow. This aircraft belonged to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

According to RBC-Ukraine source within special services, the enemy helicopter was burned down at the Russian Ostafyevo International Airport in Moscow.

According to the source, the Russians used the helicopter to meet the logistical needs and evacuation operations of their army.

Later, intelligence confirmed the destruction of the Ka-32 helicopter in Moscow and shared a video.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, the airfield belongs to the Russian Ministry of Defense and is operated jointly with Gazpromavia company, which is part of PJSC Gazprom.

"The destroyed aircraft unit was used by the aggressor state for the interests of the Moscow aviation center, particularly to support operations of the Russian occupying army," the statement says.

Missiles for Patriot, artillery, and ammunition: Spain to send military aid to Ukraine

Spain will send Patriot missiles to Ukraine, which will soon arrive at the logistics base.

Spain will soon supply 155mm and 120mm ammunition to Ukraine.

In the next two months, Spanish assistance will include:

• Light and heavy machine guns
• Protected wheeled logistics vehicles
• Infantry fighting vehicles
• Anti-tank weapons
• Field artillery howitzers

Following these deliveries, various air defense surveillance systems and remote weapon stations to protect against drones will be supplied.

The Spanish Minister of Defense mentioned that the preparation of new Leopard tanks for transfer to Ukraine is proceeding according to plan, and the first units will be ready by the end of June.

Canada to finance additional shipments of drones and ammunition for Ukraine

Canada decided to allocate additional funding for supplying drones and artillery shells to Ukraine.

Canada will transfer 3 million Canadian dollars (2.1 million US dollars) to Ukraine for the production of drones by its domestic defense industry.

"This marks the first time that Canada is contributing directly to the production of military drones in Ukraine, and this donation will be made in collaboration with the United Kingdom," said Canadian Minister of National Defense Bill Blair.

Additionally, Blair announced that Canada is providing an additional contribution of around 13 million Canadian dollars (9.5 million US dollars) to the Czech initiative for the procurement and delivery of ammunition to Ukraine. Now, Canada's total contribution to this initiative exceeds 38.7 million dollars.

Canada also decided to increase the quantity of SkyRanger drones it planned to transfer to Ukraine. According to the plan, the Ukrainian Armed Forces will receive 900 drones, which is 100 more than the initial plan.

Ramstein-21

Yesterday, April 26, the 21st meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Ramstein Group) was held. Defense ministers of Western countries took part in it. The key topic was military aid to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

During the meeting, participants also focused on the problems that arose after the delay in supplies from the US.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the meeting, he named the weapons that Ukraine needs.

Belgium to provide €200 million for Ukrainian air defense under German initiative

Belgium announced financial assistance to strengthen Ukraine's air defense as part of a German initiative.

The Belgian Ministry of Defense will supply missiles for air defense systems from its stockpile and will allocate 200 million euros to participate in Germany's initiative to supply air defense systems.