Toronto/IBNS: Canada is sending more munitions to Ukraine including artillery rounds and aircraft bombs, Defence Minister Bill Blair announced in Brussels on Wednesday at the 16th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

“Ukrainians are fighting valiantly on the frontlines against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war…comprehensive military aid will ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to continue its battle for freedom, territorial integrity, and democracy. To our Ukrainian friends –– Canada’s support is unwavering,” Blair said in a news release.

Coming out of the Canadian military’s existing stocks, the donation being sent include 2,000 rounds of 155-millimetre artillery ammunition along with 955 rounds of artillery smoke shells, meant to be fired out of the same howitzers, as well as 277 1,000-pound bombs, for use in close air support missions by the country’s military aircraft.

A total $25 million worth of winter clothing and equipment for Ukraine, including boots, thermal layers, and winter sleeping bags were also part of the package announced Wednesday.

In addition, the federal government plans to buy 2,000 sets of patterned Canada-manufactured military uniforms for female Ukraine soldiers.

Canada has committed over $2.4 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since February 2022 which included eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks and other armoured vehicles.

Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Canada and held talks with Prime Minister Jstin Trudeau.

"Canada will train our pilots on F-16s and provide additional air defense missiles. Today’s new military aid package includes armored vehicles and medevacs," Zelenskyy had tweeted then.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)