BREAKING: Biden to send High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems to Ukraine 'to repel Russian attacks'

The Biden White House released a statement on Wednesday announcing that it would be providing High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) thanks to the additional $40 billion in funding that was passed "with overwhelming bipartisan support"

"The people of Ukraine continue to inspire the world with their courage and resolve as they fight bravely to defend their country and their democracy against Russian aggression," the statement reads.

"The United States will stand with our Ukrainian partners and continue to provide Ukraine with weapons and equipment to defend itself. Today, I am announcing a significant new security assistance package to provide timely and critical aid to the Ukrainian military.

"Thanks to the additional funding for Ukraine, passed with overwhelmingly bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress, the United States will be able to keep providing Ukraine with more of the weapons that they are using so effectively to repel Russian attacks.

"This new package will arm them with new capabilities and advanced weaponry, including HIMARS with battlefield munitions, to defend their territory from Russian advances. We will continue to lead the world in providing historic assistance to support Ukraine's fight for freedom," the statement concludes.

The statement is a confirmation of Tuesday's announcement that the US would send "more advanced rocket systems and munitions" as part of a $700 million package of military equipment intended to help Ukraine fight off Russia.

In an op-ed for The New York Times, Biden wrote that the US has "moved quickly to send Ukraine a significant amount of weaponry and ammunition so it can fight on the battlefield and be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table."

"That’s why I’ve decided that we will provide the Ukrainians with more advanced rocket systems and munitions that will enable them to more precisely strike key targets on the battlefield in Ukraine."

This is the 11th weapons package approved during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It will include Javelin anti-tank missiles, Stinger antiaircraft missiles, helicopters, tactical vehicles and other advanced weapons.

However, Biden previously stated that he would not send "rocket systems that can strike into Russia." He wrote in the op-ed, "We are not encouraging or enabling Ukraine to strike beyond its borders. We do not want to prolong the war just to inflict pain on Russia."