United states aid for ukriane

Ukraine Latest: US Aid Nears $11 Billion; More Grain Vessels

The latest tranche of military aid to Ukraine, announced Friday, sees total US commitments reach $10.9 billion. The new offer includes additional HIMARS rocket systems, which have been credited with helping Kyiv slow Moscow’s advance over the summer. 

Russia’s invasion is at a near-operational standstill, with neither side currently able to launch an offensive that would materially affect the course of the conflict, Western officials said. The war, dubbed a “special operation” by Moscow, hits the six-month mark on Aug. 24. 

Grain exports continue from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports a month after a safe-transit agreement was reached. Russia’s Gazprom said it will stop delivering natural gas to Europe through its main pipeline for three days to perform maintenance, further squeezing energy supplies. European benchmark futures soared as much as 9%. 

Key Developments

• Gazprom to Shut Pipeline for Three Days in New Shock to Europe
• Putin’s War in Ukraine at a Standstill, Western Officials Say
• Pentagon Announces $775m of Weapons in New Ukraine Package
• Kremlin May Delay Annexation Moves as Invasion Progress Slows
• War-Hit Ukraine Atomic Plant Poses Risks to Europe’s Energy Grid
• NATO Races to Counter Russia’s Threat in Europe’s Weak Spot

On the Ground

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is approaching the six-month mark, and the past week saw minimal changes in territorial control along the front line in the Donbas. Ukrainian air defense shot down four Russian Kalibr missiles near the city of Dnipro, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army Valeriy Zaluzhnyi said on Facebook. In the Slobozhansky direction, Russia is conducting combat operations with the aim of holding the occupied areas and preventing a counteroffensive, and in some places is trying to improve the tactical position. Russia continued to bombard the Kharkiv region with barrel and rocket artillery in roughly ten settlements. 

Another Seven Vessels Arrive to Load Grains, Vegoil, Minister Says (9 a.m.)

Seven more vessels entered Ukraine’s Black Sea ports on Friday to load more than 66,000 tonnes of grains and vegetable oil, said Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.