ST. LOUIS- U.S. efforts to support the military in Ukraine as that country continues to defend itself from a Russian invasion will now include equipment from the Missouri National Guard.

The agency announced Wednesday it had responded to a U.S. Department of Defense request to and will send an “undisclosed number of M-113 Armored Personnel Carriers, or APCs to Ukraine. 

“The equipment will come from the 35th Engineer Brigade and will transport out of Missouri upon the completion of a technical inspection. M-113 APCs are used to move Soldiers and equipment across the battlefield while providing protection from small arms fire and the effects of artillery,” the Missouri National Guard said in a statement to Spectrum News.

Missouri joins other states, including West Virginia, which announced last week that it was also sending APCs to Ukraine.

“By joining with other states in sending numerous of these armored vehicles to Ukraine, we hope and pray that this will give Ukrainian forces a major leg up in their defense of their home country,” West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said in a statement.