According to reports, as a response to Kyiv’s urgent pleas for more weapons to fire down approaching Russian missiles, the United States is prepared to authorize the delivery of Patriot missile batteries to Ukraine.
Later this week, Washington is likely to adopt the plan. The Patriot missiles will be the most sophisticated surface-to-air missiles ever offered by the US to Ukraine if they are delivered to Kyiv.
The action was taken after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky requested long-range missiles, artillery, missile batteries, and other cutting-edge air defense equipment from Western leaders on Monday.
Dmytro Kuleba, the minister of foreign affairs of Ukraine, reiterated the need for more arms and ammunition, adding that this was the only approach to protect civilians against Russian terrorism.
“We need more armored vehicles, mainly tracked ones, and ammo for air and missile defense.”
Providing Ukraine with more air defenses is a priority, according to White House and Pentagon officials, and Patriot missiles have long been a possibility.
When evaluating Ukraine’s demands, “we will assess the full spectrum of security assistance and defensive capabilities available within our common stocks,” Pentagon press secretary Patrick Ryder said.
However, some people have expressed worry that operating the Patriot may require US troops and that doing so would require extensive training. Joe Biden, the president, has previously declined to send soldiers to the nation.
On Wednesday morning in Kyiv, five other structures were also destroyed by Russian drone strikes. But there were no recorded casualties. Russian airstrikes against Ukraine’s infrastructure have increased recently, while fighting has persisted in the country’s eastern and southern regions.
