WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States will send Ukraine a new Patriot missile system, two U.S. officials said Tuesday, responding to Kiev’s desperate call for more air defense as the country battles an intense Russian attack on the northeastern Kharkiv region.
That’s what the officials said President Joe Biden approved the move. It would be the second Patriot system the US has given to Ukraine, although the Pentagon has routinely supplied an undisclosed number of missiles for the system. Other allies, including Germany, have also supplied air defense systems and ammunition for them.
The two U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been publicly announced. The decision was first reported by The New York Times.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky late last month advocated additional U.S.-made Patriot systems, arguing they will help his forces counter the nearly 3,000 bombs he says Russia launches into the country every month.
Speaking in Madrid, Zelenskyy said Ukraine still urgently needs seven of these systems to fend off Russian attacks on the power grid and civilian areas, as well as military targets, with devastating glide bombs that cause widespread destruction.
He said Ukraine needs two of these systems to protect Kharkiv, where Russia launched a cross-border offensive on May 10 that continues to leave Ukrainian forces reeling.
“If we had these modern Patriot systems, (Russian) planes would not be able to fly close enough to drop the (glide) bombs on the civilian population and the army,” Zelenskyy told a news conference in the Spanish capital.
The decision comes as defense leaders from the U.S., Europe and other countries prepare for their monthly meeting on Ukraine’s security needs. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will host the meeting in Brussels on Thursday.
The U.S. has routinely pressed allies to supply air defense systems to Ukraine, but many are reluctant to give up the high-tech systems — especially countries in Eastern Europe that also feel threatened by Russia.
The US is also wary of giving away too much because they are used around the world to protect US forces and allies.
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters Monday that Ukraine’s air defense needs will be a topic at the meeting.
