Ohio National Guard To Donate Armored Vehicles To Ukraine: DeWine

COLUMBUS, OH —Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced on Wednesday that the Ohio Army National Guard will be providing an undisclosed number of M-113 Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) to Ukraine, for use in that country's fight against Russian aggression.

The announcement follows a request for donations by the U.S. Department of Defense, which will draw down the inventories it is providing to support Ukraine.

The M-113 APCs are used to move soldiers and equipment across a battlefield while providing protection from small arms fire and the effect of artillery.

"As we continue to learn about Russian war crimes in Ukraine, those of us in Ohio stand ready to help the Ukrainian people in any way possible," DeWine said. "Ohio has a strong Ukrainian community, and we stand behind them and their families overseas."

According to DeWine's office, the donation is just the latest effort in Ohio to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Earlier this month, DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Public Safety was collecting pieces of surplus or expired personal protective gear for donation to members of the Ukraine Civilian Territorial Defense.

As of this week, more than two dozen law enforcement agencies in Ohio had agreed to donate equipment, including 75 ballistic and riot helmets and 840 pieces of body armor, like vests and plates.

Delivery of the personal protective gear to Ukraine is being coordinated by the Fund to Aid Ukraine, a Parma-based nonprofit, according to DeWine's office.

In March, DeWine held an Ohio Summit on Ukrainian Refugees, where he brought together various organizations to ensure that Ohio would be ready to help if the state should be asked to accept refugees from the war-torn country.

The governor also signed Executive Order 22-02D last month, which prohibited all state agencies, boards, commissions, state educational institutions and pension funds to divest any investment in and terminate any contracts with a Russian institution or company.

In February, DeWine directed the Ohio Department of Commerce to end the purchase and sale of all vodka made by Russian Standard, the only overseas, Russian-owned distillery with vodka solid in Ohio.