Camilla Jessen
The Pentagon has taken important missile parts meant for Ukraine and sent them to U.S. troops instead.
The U.S. military has decided to take a key weapon part, used by Ukraine to shoot down Russian drones, and send it to American forces in the Middle East instead.
This change has upset many lawmakers in Washington, The Wall Street Journal reports.
The part is a fuse that helps missiles explode near enemy drones.
These fuses were already bought for Ukraine and have been used to help defend Ukrainian cities from Russia’s growing number of drone attacks.
Now, they will go to U.S. troops to protect American bases, mostly in the Middle East.
Why the Fuses Matter
Ukraine has been using these fuses in missiles that are guided by lasers.
When a missile gets close to a drone, the fuse helps it explode at the right moment — a very effective way to destroy incoming drones.
Former U.S. defense official Celeste Wallander says Ukraine depends on this kind of technology to protect its people.
But she also says U.S. troops in the Middle East now face serious drone threats too — including from Houthi forces and possibly Iran.
Critics Want More Answers
The decision was made in May by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the Senate was quietly told about it just last week.
Critics in Congress say they weren’t told how badly U.S. troops needed the fuses or how losing them might hurt Ukraine’s defenses.
“It’s hard to believe Ukraine is being denied this important weapon right now,” one Democratic aide told the WSJ. “And without a clear reason, it almost feels like punishment.”
Adding to the tension, Hegseth skipped an international meeting on Ukraine military aid last week, the first time the U.S. defense chief has missed such a meeting since the war began.
Ukraine Facing More Drone Attacks
Russia is now building about 300 drones per day, according to Ukrainian intelligence.
In May, Ukraine faced the largest drone attacks so far in the war, with hundreds launched at cities and energy facilities.
That makes the loss of these missile parts especially troubling for Ukraine, which has been getting the fuses from the U.S. since the Biden administration began organizing the purchase. More deliveries were expected this year and next.
Supporters of Ukraine in Congress say they want more information.
They are worried the U.S. is no longer giving Ukraine the support it needs — just as Russia steps up its attacks.