U.S. sends more weapons, equipment to Ukraine

The United States is rushing more heavy firepower into Ukraine in another $800 million package of military aid. The Pentagon is also handing over transport helicopters, armored personnel carriers and Humvees, naval drone vessels used in coastal defense, and gear used to protect soldiers in chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological attacks. It’s all in preparation for a major Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine.

Is Russia committing genocide? As Russian troops leave western Ukraine cities to focus on an eastern offensive, surviving civilians have reported cruel treatment. In Yahidne, roughly 87 miles from Kyiv, 300 villagers were forced at gunpoint into a school basement and held for weeks, mostly without food. Many said they were tortured, and 18 died. President Joe Biden called the war a genocide for the first time in what appeared to be unscripted remarks. He said, “Putin is trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be a Ukrainian.” The State Department has avoided using the label because the term is a legal designation, and the United States is still gathering evidence.

Dig deeper: Keep up with WORLD’s latest coverage of the war in Ukraine.