Dec 14 (Reuters) – The Kremlin said on Wednesday that
U.S. Patriot missile defence systems would be a legitimate
target for Russian strikes against Ukraine, should the United
States authorise them to be delivered to support Kyiv.
Washington is finalising plans to send the Patriot missile
defense system to Ukraine, a decision that could be announced as
soon as this week, three U.S. officials told Reuters on Tuesday.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Patriots would
“definitely” be a target for Russia, but that he would not
comment on unconfirmed media reports.
The Patriot is considered to be one of the most advanced
U.S. air defense systems, including against aircraft, cruise
missiles and ballistic missiles. It typically includes launchers
along with radar and other support vehicles.
The Pentagon says Russia’s recent surge in missile strikes
in Ukraine is partly designed to exhaust Kyiv’s supplies of air
defenses so it can dominate the skies above the country. For
that reason, the United States and its allies have been
delivering more air defenses for Kyiv.
For the United States, this has included NASAMS air defense
systems that the Pentagon says have flawlessly intercepted
Russian missiles in Ukraine. Washington has so far provided
Ukraine with $19.3 billion in military assistance since the
start of the conflict.
(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Raissa
Kasolowsky)
