The United States intends to send another Patriot missile system to Ukraine, according to two American officials on Tuesday, in response to urgent appeals from Kyiv for further air defense systems as it faces intensified Russian attacks targeting the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced yet, stated that US President Joe Biden has approved this move. This will be the second Patriot system provided by the United States to Ukraine. Other allies, including Germany, have also provided air defense systems as well as ammunition to the Ukrainians.
The decision was first reported by The New York Times.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had requested additional US-made Patriot systems for his country late last month, arguing that they would help his forces combat nearly 3,000 bombs he claimed Russia launches at the country every month.
In a speech in Madrid, Zelensky stated that Ukraine still urgently needs 7 more air defense systems to fend off Russian strikes targeting the power grid, civilian areas, as well as military targets, with devastating glide bombs causing widespread destruction.
He also mentioned that Ukraine needs two systems to protect Kharkiv, where Russia launched a cross-border attack on May 10, leaving Ukrainian forces reeling.
