More war, more deaths: U.S. will send Humvees and drones to Ukraine

© Reuters / Lucas Jackson

US is to send Ukraine more non-lethal military aid, including drones and armored Humvees, AP reported, citing a phone call between Vice President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

Biden told Poroshenko of the decision during a phone call, according to US officials, AP reported.

The aid package includes the small Raven drone system, which can be launched by hand, radios, counter mortar radars, 30 heavily armored Humvees and 200 regular ones.

The drones and the other equipment being sent is worth around $75 million. It was not immediately clear how much the Humvees cost.

Washington and other NATO allies have spent in excess of $100 million in security aid to Ukraine, although until now this has been primarily of a non-lethal nature.

"We have over the last 14 months provided $118 million in security assistance" to the Ukrainian authorities, Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland told the House Committee on Foreign Affairs earlier this month.

The US also announced earlier in March that they were planning to send about 300 military advisors to train the Ukrainian army from March through October.

The UK also announced that it will send 75 British military personnel in March who will offer medical, intelligence and infantry training to the Ukrainian army. Poland has also said it is sending military advisors to Ukraine.