The Pentagon put the value of weapons for Ukraine at more than $ 3 billion

The Pentagon overstated the value of weapons shipped to Ukraine by more than $3 billion in an accounting error that could affect existing funding to arm the war-torn country, according to people familiar with the matter.

One of the people said the error was caused by incorrectly using the cost of replacing weapons shipped from US stockpiles with new equipment instead of the purchase price and depreciation. Reuters first reported the Pentagon’s overestimation of the value of aid to Ukraine.

Congress approved $48 billion in aid for Ukraine last year, including $21.7 billion for military equipment and money to replace Pentagon weaponry that has already been sent to the country. US officials have said the funds will last until October, though it is unclear how the error could alter that timetable.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, the US has given Ukraine some $37 billion in lethal aid, such as Javelin and Stinger missile systems, heavy artillery, tanks, Patriot air defense batteries and other air defense systems. Much of this came from US stockpiles but also included money for arms contracts.

It will be up to the White House to decide when to seek new aid for Kiev. Washington and its allies are sending military aid to Ukraine ahead of a planned counter-offensive that they hope will help gain momentum in the war.

But some of Ukraine’s allies worry about what will happen when existing funds run out, with senior European officials growing concerned about the flow of aid next year as the US enters a divisive presidential campaign.

“The Department of Defense’s change in assessment of the cost of weapons shipped to Ukraine is a major mistake,” said Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi.

He said: “The effect of this will be to underestimate the future needs of our European allies. Our priority should be Ukraine’s victory over Putin. Unilaterally changing the calculation of military aid is an attempt at deception and undermines this goal.”