US to give 5 Russian-made helicopters to Ukraine soon

WASHINGTON – The United States (US) government has accelerated the transfer of ownership of five helicopter carriers to Kiev. The move comes as Washington insists Moscow can “attack” Ukraine any time now.

The Mi-17 helicopters were originally purchased from Russia and intended for the former Western-backed government in Afghanistan, before the Afghan government surrendered to the Taliban last August.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed Friday that Congress had been notified of the move.

Also read: Prediction of World Destruction Strengthens With US-Russian Tensions

The plan will be carried out under the Excess Defense Articles program. The US State Department said on Thursday it was the “fastest transfer” for the US government.

Also read: Russian missiles in Cuba and Venezuela? Behind the Kremlin’s Loud Rhetoric

The helicopters are already in Ukraine, which operates on behalf of the Pentagon and were supposed to be sent to Afghanistan until a Taliban takeover disrupted those plans.

Also read: Hamsters slaughtered by Hong Kong government, critics protest with NFT

“Ukrainian Defense Minister Alexey Reznikov requested the helicopter from the Pentagon at the end of November, along with ammunition also allocated to the defunct Afghan Army,” said a Foreign Policy report last month.

–