Canada announced on Friday that it is in the process of finalizing contracts for a number of commercial models of armored vehicles, which will be sent to Ukraine as soon as possible.
In a statement, the federal government said it was also finalizing a maintenance contract for the maintenance and repair of specialized drone cameras that Canada has already sent to Ukraine.
On Friday, Canada sent M777 howitzers and ammunition to Ukraine, fulfilling its promise to send heavy artillery to the affected country.
According to the government, the lightweight 155-mm towed howitzer M777 is lighter and smaller, but more powerful than any cannon of its kind. M777 provides indirect firepower capable of accurately hitting targets within a range of up to 30 km.
READ MORE: Obvious mass graves near Mariupol increase in size, satellite photos show
The story continues under the ad
The decision was praised by the Ukrainian-Canadian Congress (UCC).
In a statement Friday, Alexandra Chichiy, national president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, said: “The UCC welcomes the provision of additional lethal aid to Ukraine by Canada.
“The horrors of Russia, the deliberate, systematic crimes against humanity that Russia is committing – in Mariupol, Bucha, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and countless other places – show that Russia is committing genocide and trying to destroy the Ukrainian people,” she added.
Popular stories
-
Canada changes COVID-19 limit rules for unvaccinated, partially vaccinated children
-
Complaint of inappropriate behavior against Bill Murray suspends Being Mortal production: report
Read more: Biden announces $ 800 million in military aid to Ukraine amid battle in Donbass
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that the allies were finally delivering the weapons Kyiv requested, adding that the weapons would help save the lives of thousands.
Since January 2022, Canada has provided more than $ 118 million in military equipment to support Ukraine. In the 2022 budget, Canada also provided $ 500 million in additional military aid to Ukraine for fiscal 2022-23.
Earlier on Friday, however, Finance Minister Christia Freeland did not provide further details on how the $ 500 million pledged in her April 7 budget will be spent.
3:55 Russia should be removed from the G20 because of the invasion of Ukraine, Freeland says Russia should be removed from the G20 because of the invasion of Ukraine, says Freeland
In response to Ukraine’s request for more heavy weapons, President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that an additional $ 800 million in military aid to help Ukraine fight the Russian invasion, and warned that Congress would have to approve additional aid .
The story continues under the ad
The new military package includes much-needed heavy artillery, 144,000 rounds of ammunition and drones for Ukrainian forces in the escalating battle for the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine. It is based on approximately $ 2.6 billion in military aid that Biden previously approved.
“We are grateful that Canada and its allies continue to provide the weapons and materials that the brave Ukrainian armed forces need to defeat Russia,” Chichi said.
-With files from The Canadian Press
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Add Comment