“The artillery ammunition, precision fires, air defence missiles, and tactical vehicles we are providing will best serve Ukraine on the battlefield,” Blinken said in a statement.

The Pentagon said the package included additional munitions for Nasams air defence systems and for high mobility artillery rocket systems (Himars).

President Joe Biden has said he expects US aid to Ukraine will continue without interruption despite scepticism by Republicans, who are expected to use their new majority in the House of Representatives to more closely monitor the flow of aid.

The Biden administration has so far provided US$19.7 billion in military assistance to Ukraine as it fights a war triggered by Russia’s invasion nine months ago.

Russian missiles rained down across Ukraine on Wednesday, forcing shutdowns of nuclear power plants and killing civilians as Moscow pursues a campaign to plunge Ukrainian cities into darkness and cold as winter sets in.