Russia warns of 'unpredictable penalties' if US sends Patriot missiles to Ukraine

Russia hit again at experiences that the U.S. is poised to ship the Patriot air protection system to Ukraine, calling it a “provocative” transfer that “can result in unpredictable penalties.”

The U.S. has not but introduced the choice to ship the superior programs, which may assist Ukraine fend off a barrage of Russian missile strikes, however a number of experiences indicated such an announcement may come this week.

“If that is confirmed, we’ll witness yet one more provocative step by the administration, which may result in unpredictable penalties,” the Russian Embassy in Washington mentioned in an announcement. “Continued deliveries of arms will solely strengthen the Zelensky regime’s sense of impunity and push it to new crimes towards civilians in Donbass, Kherson and Zaporozhye areas.”

The U.S. and NATO international locations have already despatched different air protection programs to Ukraine, together with two shipments of the Nationwide Superior Floor-to-Air Missile System. However Patriots, made by U.S. agency Raytheon, are essentially the most superior surface-to-air missile protection programs NATO has in its repertoire.

Such a system may assist Ukraine shoot down greater threats from additional away, however the U.S. to this point has balked at sending Patriots partially due to issues over it being seen as an escalation by Moscow.

“Washington’s technique causes huge injury not solely to the Russian-American relations, but additionally creates extra dangers for world safety,” the Russian Embassy mentioned, blaming the U.S. for Russia’s ongoing invasion.

However the deliveries would reply the repeated calls from Kyiv for extra superior programs from the West at a time when Russia is launching rounds of missile strikes aimed toward Ukraine’s vitality infrastructure and different targets.

“We’re making ready agreements that may strengthen our protection capabilities and provides Ukraine extra operational capabilities,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned in his nightly deal with on Wednesday.