Russia threatens US over 'provocative' delivery of Patriot missiles to Ukraine
Created: 2022-12-16, 12:16 p.m
By: Caroline Schäfer
The United States is considering supplying the Patriot air defense system to Kyiv during the Ukraine war.
Russia warns of consequences.
Kyiv – The Ukrainian authorities have been trying for months to get the Patriot air defense system delivered from the West.
The system would offer Ukraine new defense options.
It can fend off aircraft, cruise missiles, drones or ballistic missiles at a greater distance,
writes
fr.de.
The US consideration of delivering the Patriot system (Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target) for defense against Russia could turn the tide in the Ukraine war.
According to media reports, the United States has agreed to the delivery of the anti-aircraft system to Ukraine.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has yet to approve it.
Patriot system | |
|---|---|
Type | anti-aircraft |
components | Launcher with 4 or 8 guided missiles |
Range | about 68 km |
At the same time controllable | up to 50 targets |
At the same time fightable | up to 5 targets |
Source: Bundeswehr |
News about the Ukraine war: "New situation" due to Patriot delivery?
An official announcement is expected shortly,
Al Jazeera
reported .
According to Thomas Wiegold, if the Patriot plans were confirmed in the Ukraine war, a "new situation" would arise, the military expert told
N-TV
.
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Russia, on the other hand, has warned the United States against delivering anti-aircraft weapons to Ukraine.
If the media reports are confirmed, it would be a "further provocative step" by the United States, State Department spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed on Thursday (December 15).
This would allow the United States to be drawn deeper into the Ukraine conflict - "with all the ensuing consequences," it said.
Zakharova announced that Patriot missiles would be targeted by the Russian army as a priority target.
Ukraine war: US Patriot plans – “one of the most reliable anti-aircraft systems”
The Patriot system is considered "one of the most widespread, reliable and proven anti-missile systems in existence," Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), informed
Al Jazeera
.
The Patriot system has a more powerful radar than the Soviet-era S-300 system and is therefore better able to detect targets.
But even the Patriot missiles have their limits and would not decisively change the Ukraine war.
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The Biden government apparently wants to deliver the Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine.
©US Army/imago
The American-made Patriot missile defense system is used by several NATO countries.
Anti-aircraft defense was first used in the 1980s.
According to CNN
, it is not yet clear how many Patriot batteries may be shipped to Ukraine.
(kas/dpa)
Meanwhile, Russian state media are calling for the use of nuclear weapons.
According to a Russian commander, there is only one way Russia can still win the Ukraine war.
