WASHINGTON – The United States will send Ukraine another Patriot missile system, two US officials said on Tuesday, responding to Kiev’s desperate pleas for more air defenses as it battles an intense Russian attack on the region northeast of Kharkiv.
Officials said President Joe Biden approved the measure. It would be the second Patriot system that the US gave to Ukraine, although the Pentagon has routinely provided an undisclosed number of missiles for the system. Other allies, including Germany, also supplied them with air defense systems as well as ammunition.
The two U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision had not been publicly announced. The decision was first reported by The New York Times.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy late last month argued for additional U.S.-made Patriot systems, arguing they will help his forces combat the roughly 3,000 bombs he says Russia drops on the country every month.
Speaking in Madrid, Zelenskyy said Ukraine still urgently needs seven more systems to defend itself against Russian attacks against the energy grid It is civil areasas well as military targets, with devastating glide bombs that cause widespread destruction.
He said Ukraine needs two of the systems to protect Kharkiv, where Russia launched a cross-border offensive on May 10 that still leaves Ukrainian troops reeling.
“If we had these modern Patriot systems, (Russian) planes would not be able to fly close enough to drop (flat) bombs on the civilian population and the military,” Zelenskyy said at a news conference in the Spanish capital.
The decision comes as defense leaders from the US, Europe and other nations prepare for their monthly meeting on Ukraine’s security needs. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will host the meeting in Brussels on Thursday.
The US has consistently pressured allies to provide air defense systems to Ukraine, but many are reluctant to give up the high-tech systems – especially Eastern European countries that also feel threatened by Russia.
The US is also wary of giving up too many, as they are used around the world to protect US forces and allies.
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters Monday that Ukraine’s need for air defense will be a topic at the meeting.
