The White House announced a new military aid package for Ukraine valued at approximately $425 million amid escalating tensions as Russia moves North Korean troops closer to the front lines.

This package includes air-defense interceptors, munitions for rocket systems, artillery, armored vehicles, and anti-tank weapons, aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s defenses in the eastern Donbas region.

The announcement follows confirmation that North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia to support its invasion of Ukraine, with analysts suggesting that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un aims for his forces to gain combat experience.

However, the effectiveness of these troops depends on how Russia utilizes them, with early reports indicating they may be used as “cannon fodder,” the New York Post has reported.

The new weapons will be drawn from Pentagon stockpiles, which will be replenished using the allocated funds.

Written by B.C. Begley