Special Inspector General for Operation Atlantic Resolve (OAR), DoD Inspector General Robert P. Storch, announced today the release of the fourth quarterly report on OAR to the United States Congress.
The Special Inspector General report summarizes U.S. funding, programs, and operations from July 1, 2024, through September 30, 2024, in support of Ukraine and the broader response to Russia’s full-scale invasion, including support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF), support for NATO partners, and U.S. military, diplomatic, and humanitarian activity. The report describes the oversight work of the DoD, State, and USAID Offices of Inspector General (OIG), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the other members of the Ukraine Oversight Interagency Working Group.
This new report includes the following notable developments.
- Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Congress has appropriated or otherwise made available at least $182.99 billion for OAR and the broader Ukraine response, including $131.36 billion for security-related activities and assistance and $43.84 billion for governance and development.
- During this quarter, the UAF deployed F-16 fighter jets in combat for the first time. Introduction of the aircraft came after months of training for Ukrainian pilots and maintainers. They are using the F-16s primarily to shoot down Russian missiles and UAVs.
- The UAF launched an incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, seizing about 1000 sq km in the first major ground operation in Russian territory since the war began. Ukraine sought to relieve pressure on the front line, but Russia did not divert significant forces away from Eastern or Southern Ukraine.
- The United States delivered vehicles, ammunition, weapons, artillery and mortar rounds, and mines and demolition equipment to Ukraine. The assistance includes Bradley fighting vehicles, which the UAF prefers over M1A1 Abrams tanks delivered in previous quarters, due to the Bradley’s speed and maneuverability.
- USAID provided $3.9 billion in additional direct budget support to Ukraine, which enables the Ukrainian government to pay salaries and continue delivering essential services. This funding is part of the $7.84 billion in the April 2024 supplemental appropriation for direct budget support.
- The U.S. Government significantly expanded sanctions against Russian and other actors involved in Russia’s war against Ukraine during the quarter. The United States and G7 partners finalized $50 billion in loans to Ukraine to be repaid by interest accrued on immobilized Russian sovereign assets.
Additionally, comprehensive oversight of the U.S. Ukraine response continued during the reporting period. Between July and September, the OIGs for DoD, State, and USAID and the GAO issued four management advisories and 22 oversight reports and continued work on 75 ongoing oversight projects. The OIGs and other federal investigative partner agencies had 61 open investigations related to the Ukraine response as of September 30.
"Through a united effort with our oversight partners, the DoD OIG remains steadfast in ensuring that every American taxpayer dollar designated for Ukraine’s support is responsibly managed,” IG Storch said. “As exemplified by our robust public website, www.UkraineOversight.gov, the DoD OIG and the U.S. oversight community is committed to transparency and accountability. Our latest quarterly report provides updates on Ukraine support efforts and reflects our dedication to a whole-of-government oversight of this extensive mission. The rigorous oversight conducted by the Ukraine Oversight Interagency Working Group is safeguarding the tens of billions of dollars in security assistance, humanitarian aid, development support, and direct budget assistance that has been allocated to help Ukraine and its people."
The Inspector General for the Department of State, Cardell K. Richardson, Sr., emphasized that, “State OIG remains committed to working with our oversight partners to provide the American people with the clearest picture yet of their government's response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Presented together, our findings and recommendations enhance accountability and drive effectiveness and efficiency across government.”
"These quarterly reports continue to be an invaluable resource of information for Congress and the American taxpayer on all U.S. assistance to Ukraine,” said USAID IG Paul K. Martin. “We will continue to work with our colleagues across the oversight community to provide a transparent, fulsome accounting for all U.S. efforts in Ukraine. USAID OIG remains committed to preventing waste, fraud, corruption, and abuse of USAID program funds, and ensure taxpayer dollars do not end up in the pockets of bad actors.”
More information about the completed and ongoing oversight of OAR by the DoD, State, and USAID OIGs and other oversight agencies is available on their respective websites and at www.UkraineOversight.gov.