Russia’s Foreign Ministry issued a note of caution on Thursday, December 15, 2022 that if the United States confirms reports that it plans to deliver sophisticated air defense missiles to Ukraine, it would be “another provocative move by the U.S.” that could prompt a response from Moscow.
In response to reports that the US will provide Kyiv with Patriot surface-to-air missiles, Ministry Spokesperson, Maria Zakharova disclosed in a weekly briefing that the U.S. had “effectively become a party” to the war in Ukraine.
The Patriot missile is the most advanced military aid that the West has yet offered to help resist Russian aerial attacks.
Growing amounts of U.S. military assistance, including the transfer of such sophisticated weapons, “would mean even broader involvement of military personnel in the hostilities and could entail possible consequences,” Zakharova reiterated.
She did not specify what the consequences might be.
U.S. officials revealed on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 that Washington was ready to approve sending a Patriot missile battery to Ukraine, in final agreement to an urgent request from Ukrainian leaders who are fraught for more robust weapons to intercept incoming Russian missiles that have crippled much of the country’s vital infrastructure.
An official announcement is expected soon.
Operating and maintaining a Patriot battery requires as many as 90 troops, and for months the U.S. has been unenthusiastic to provide the complex system because sending American forces into Ukraine to operate the systems is an unviable proposition for the administration of President Joe Biden.
Even without the presence of U.S. service members to train Ukrainians on use of the system, concerns remain that deployment of the missiles could provoke Russia or risk that a fired projectile could hit inside Russia and further escalate the conflict.
Before reports emerged on the delivery of Patriot systems, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Head of Russia’s Security Council, which is chaired by President Vladimir Putin, warned that if Patriots enter Ukraine “along with NATO personnel, they will immediately become a legitimate target for our armed forces.”
Commenting on whether the Kremlin backs that threat, Kremlin Spokesman, Dmitry Peskov answered in the affirmative, but added that he would refrain from more detailed comment until the U.S. officially announces the Patriot delivery to Ukraine.
Ukraine Takes Caution In Dealing With Reports
So far, Ukraine has been cautious in reacting to the reports.
Hanna Maliar, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister, disclosed on Thursday, December 15, 2022 in Kyiv that the delivery of such weaponry remains “sensitive not only for Ukraine, but for our partners.”
Maliar added that only President Volodymyr Zelenskyy or Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov would make any official announcement on such an agreement.
White House and Pentagon leaders have said consistently that providing Ukraine with additional air defenses is a priority, and Patriot missiles have been under consideration for some time.
An official divulged that the idea became a higher priority as the winter closed in and the Russian bombardment of civilian infrastructure escalated in Ukraine.
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