The United States may give Ukraine military helicopters bought from Russia so that Kiev can cope with the aggravation in Donbass

US may give Ukraine Russian helicopters and more new weapons, reports BBC.

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The US is considering sending military advisers and weapons to Ukraine amid a buildup of Russian forces on the Ukrainian border.

“Multiple sources” spoke about such conversations in the US government.

Weapons, advisers, sanctions

The assistance package could include new Javelin anti-tank and anti-armor missiles, as well as mortars and air defense systems such as Stinger missiles.

The US Department of Defense also insists that Ukraine should receive some equipment previously planned to be transferred to Afghanistan, for example, Russian Mi-17 helicopters.

The Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter originally purchased by the United States to be handed over to the Afghans. The Pentagon is now deciding what to do with them after the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in August.

But others in the administration are concerned that Russia might view the transfer of Stingers and helicopters as a major escalation. And although they are ready to send military advisers to the region, it is unclear whether anyone will go to Ukraine,” the sources said.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Cedric Layton argues that any assistance to Ukraine could lead to “further increased tension” in relations with Moscow.

At the same time, the United States is discussing with its European allies the introduction of a new package of sanctions, which will enter into force if Russia invades Ukraine.

Legislators are also working on sanctions changes to the National Defense Authorization Act.

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Members of the US Congress are proposing to introduce “significant new sanctions” against Kremlin officials, including President Vladimir Putin, in the event of new Russian aggression.

The draft amendment also calls for new sanctions against Nord Stream 2.

But as the Biden administration warns of a possible Russian attack on Ukraine, top officials are “trying to protect the Russian gas pipeline by opposing inclusion of sanctions against it in the annual defense bill,” an unnamed adviser to President Zelensky said.

Ukraine's tone has changed

On Monday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that Washington is concerned about Russia's military activity and "has been interacting a lot with European allies and partners, including Ukraine, in recent weeks."

The dialogue with the Russian authorities continues.

Also on Monday, a conversation took place between the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, General Mark Milli, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Valery Zaluzhny.

Sources said that in terms of the level of anxiety and specificity, the briefings that the United States are now giving to partners is much more serious than before.

After conversations with the United States, the tone of Ukraine’s statements “seriously changed,” although at the beginning of the month Ukrainian officials “downplayed” reports about the Russian presence at the borders.

The other day, Kirill Budanov, the head of the main intelligence department of the Ministry of Defense, publicly warned that Russia could attack as early as January.

This estimate is in line with the US warning.

What is Russia planning?

Yet officials do not know what Russia is really planning.

"There is no direct evidence or conclusive indicator of Putin's intentions," the unnamed defense official said.

The movement of troops could also be “an attempt to sow confusion or force the West to make concessions.”

The worst-case scenario, according to the United States, would be an attempt to overthrow the government in Kiev.

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However, this “cannot be achieved by grabbing another piece” of the Donetsk region, the intelligence specialist said.

Sources say that American officials provided their Ukrainian colleagues with evidence of the destabilizing activities of the FSB of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, aimed at inciting sentiments against the power of President Zelensky, and also pointed to the presence of special forces and intelligence officers of the main intelligence directorate and the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service at the borders of Ukraine.

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