Umerov: Military Aid Package From Italy Already On Its Way to Ukraine

A new package of military assistance from Italy, which includes advanced weapons, is on its way to Ukraine.

The Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umierov announced this after a meeting with his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto in Kyiv.

According to the minister, these weapons will help the Defense Forces to deliver powerful strikes against the Russian occupiers.

Umierov also informed that he and Crosetto had agreed to strengthen defense cooperation between Ukraine and Italy. Separately, the defense ministers of the two countries discussed joining forces in the defense industry.

Ukraine and Italy are planning to launch joint ventures and other initiatives to maximize support for the Ukrainian defense sector.

In turn, Guido Crosetto confirmed Italy’s strong support for Ukraine and emphasized the importance of expanding the Ramstein format.

In early December last year, Reuters reported, citing its own sources, that the Italian government had been preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine. It was supposed to be approved by the end of December.

It will be the tenth since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

And in his video address on January 16, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said that Italy had been preparing the 11th package of defense support for the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Military assistance from Italy since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022 has been quite significant. However, unlike other countries, the Italian government rarely announces arms transfers to Ukraine. All information on this is classified.

Italy, together with France, has already handed over one SAMP/T battery to Ukraine. Italy has also announced the transfer of an additional battery of this SAM to Ukraine.

In addition, the Italian media reported that Italy had provided Ukraine with Storm Shadow cruise missiles as part of military assistance. At the same time, the Italian government has not officially announced the transfer of the missiles of this type to Ukraine.