The US Department of Defense has discovered an accounting error that could potentially lead to an additional $3 billion in military aid being provided to Ukraine. The mistake occurred when the value of some weapons systems sent to the country was overestimated, causing officials to believe that they had less funding available than they actually did.
The Pentagon is currently working on determining the exact amount of surplus funds, with its comptroller requesting all military branches review previous aid packages for Ukraine using accurate cost figures. To date, nearly $37 billion in assistance has been given since Russia invaded in February 2022. Most of this support comes from various weapon systems, millions of munitions and ammunition rounds, as well as trucks, sensors, radars and other equipment taken from Pentagon stockpiles.
Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, commented on the situation: "The accounting error had not constrained US support to Ukraine or hampered our ability to send aid to the battlefield."
Previously it was believed that just over $2.3 billion remained available under Presidential Drawdown Authority for aiding Ukraine; however now around $5.3 billion is still accessible – a significantly larger sum than any single package previously offered.
Some members of Congress have expressed concern regarding these newly-discovered funds running out by mid-summer if action isn't taken soon enough. Despite this apprehension though White House officials are not planning on seeking new funding for Ukrainian support before fiscal year-end at September's close.
While providing substantial support thus far through various means including arms shipments and supplies pulled from existing government stockpiles; one type of weaponry remains off-limits - cluster munitions due their high risk posed towards civilians during conflict situations like those occurring within eastern Europe today where many global leaders stand firmly opposed against their usage altogether.