Victorious news on 755th day of war: Pentagon assures it will not allow Ukraine to lose, EU plans to send 500,000 shells this month

Belgium prepares €412 million aid package for Ukraine

Belgium has announced a €412 million military aid package for Ukraine, which will include 300 IVECO Lynx LMV armored vehicles and three minesweepers to counter Russian aggression.

Shephard Media reported the information.

It noted that the new BELEUX military assistance initiative, aimed at strengthening Ukraine's military capabilities, is being implemented by Belgium together with the Netherlands.

Poland and Germany to create 'armored coalition' to support Ukraine

Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz made the announcement, Wprost reports.

At a joint press conference with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Kosiniak-Kamysz said that the two countries would take responsibility for the rapid response forces in Europe.

On March 26, Poland and Germany will activate an armored coalition in Warsaw to support Ukraine. 

"Starting in July, our battlegroups - 2,500 Polish soldiers and 2,500 German soldiers - will be in a state of readiness for rapid response. These are the forces that fulfill the tasks of the strategic compass," said the head of the Polish Defense Ministry.

"More partners have already registered. This is one of the most important coalitions," added Kosiniak-Kamysz.

The UK, Sweden and Italy have already joined the Armored Vehicle Coalition.

Pistorius emphasized that this coalition is long-term.

Both ministers said that a meeting of defense ministers of the Weimar Triangle countries will be held in Wroclaw in May.

"We are restoring the Weimar Triangle in the political sphere, in the defense field, and in relations between our headquarters. We are preparing for even more intensive joint exercises," Kosiniak-Kamysz said.

Ukrainian national team of veterans and wounded soldiers wins a record 76 medals at international sports competitions

Ukraine’s General Staff reported the information.

At international sports competitions, the Ukrainian team secured a total of 44 gold, 20 silver, and 12 bronze medals. Ukrainian soldiers won the most awards in swimming and rowing competitions. 

The captain of the Ukrainian national team, Yuriy Haponchuk, said that the competition days were very intense for the Ukrainian team and filled with support from veterans from other countries.

"For me personally, the competition in Las Vegas is something incredible and unforgettable! Each of the participants gained a lot of experience and confidence. No one expected that we would win so many medals. On behalf of all the members of the national team, I would like to thank the coaches who made us a team. Sport is an example for those who have been injured and do not know what to do next," he emphasized.

Finland to allocate €30 million to buy ammunition for Ukraine under Czech initiative

On Tuesday, March 19, Finnish Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen announced that the Finnish government would allocate €30 million to purchase ammunition for Ukraine as part of the Czech Republic's initiative.

He made the announcement on X.

"We discussed with the commander of the Czech Defense Forces the issue of improving support for European defense and Ukraine. In particular, we discussed the Czech ammunition initiative. Finland is participating in this initiative with €30 million," the minister said.

Germany to provide €500 million aid package for Ukraine

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced an EUR 500 million aid package for Ukraine.

He announced this at a press conference as part of a meeting of the Contact Group to Support Ukraine at the Ramstein military base, Tagesschau reports.

In addition, Germany will support Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression in the short term with further supplies of ammunition.

It plans to supply 10,000 artillery shells from the Bundeswehr warehouses.

The new aid package will also include 100 armored infantry vehicles and 100 vehicles.

Boris Pistorius did not name the timing of the new aid package. Usually, the German government announces the transfer of equipment and ammunition after it has been delivered to Ukraine.

Latvia joins the Czech initiative to purchase shells for Ukraine

Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds said that his country has joined the Czech initiative to purchase 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine. This is stated on his X page.

"Today we have signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Czech Ministry of Defence to procure  artillery shells to support Ukraine. This initiative is critical to ensure the necessary combat capabilities for our Ukrainian allies," the Latvian defense minister wrote.

US will not allow Ukraine to lose in war with Russia, says US Defense Secretary Austin

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said this at the beginning of the meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense (Ramstein 20), which is taking place at an air base in Germany.

The US Secretary of Defense emphasized that Ukraine's troops are facing harsh conditions and fierce fighting, and the civilian population is constantly forced to endure attacks by Russian missiles and Iranian drones.

At the same time, Austin assures that the United States will not back down from its support for Ukraine, which is not going to give up. "Today our message is clear: The United States will not let Ukraine fail. This coalition will not let Ukraine fail. And the free world will not let Ukraine fail," Austin emphasized.

EU plans to supply 500,000 shells to Ukraine this month

By the end of March, the EU plans to send about 500,000 artillery shells to Ukraine, and the promised million of ammunition by year-end.

Suspilne reported the information, citing the European Commission Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Peter Stano.

Stano stated that the goals remained unchanged and that they planned to supply 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine this year. He further noted that, based on their current projections, it was likely that by the end of March, they would have supplied half a million shells.

At the same time, he said that in general, Ukraine will receive more shells than previously promised by the EU.

"We might not have delivered one million by the end of March, but Ukraine will get, actually more than one million, based on the capacity and based on the orders, which have been placed," the spokesman said.

Ukrainian aviation strikes at 6 Russian personnel concentrations 

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported the information.

During the day, Ukrainian aviation struck 6 concentrations of Russian personnel, weapons and military equipment.

Ukrainian missile units destroyed 2 Russian ammunition depots and one electronic warfare station.