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Russian Embassy warns of “unpredictable consequences” if US sends Patriot missiles to Ukraine
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned that if US Patriot missiles are despatched to Ukraine, they’d be professional targets for Russian forces.
However he added that the US plan had not been confirmed.
Peskov was requested by CNN if he held the identical view as former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who has mentioned that the missiles “would instantly change into a professional goal of our armed forces.”
“Definitely,” Peskov responded, in remarks later picked up by official Russian information company TASS. However he added, “I might chorus from remark for now, although, as a result of these are simply media studies.”
CNN reported solely Tuesday that the Biden administration is finalizing plans to ship the Patriot missile protection system to Ukraine, with a call presumably introduced as quickly as this week, in line with two US officers and a senior administration official.
The Pentagon’s plan nonetheless must be authorized by Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin earlier than it’s despatched to President Joe Biden for his signature. The three officers instructed CNN that approval is anticipated.
It isn’t clear what number of missile launchers will probably be despatched, however a typical Patriot battery features a radar set that detects and tracks targets, computer systems, energy producing gear, an engagement management station and as much as eight launchers, every holding 4 ready-to-fire missiles.
As soon as the plans are finalized, the Patriots are anticipated to ship rapidly within the coming days and Ukrainians will probably be skilled to make use of them at a US Military base in Grafenwoehr, Germany, officers instructed CNN.
Russian officers have repeatedly mentioned that every one Western methods despatched to Ukraine — together with the HIMARS anti-air defenses — will probably be focused.
Ukrainian authorities have been in search of Patriot batteries for months however haven’t confirmed that the US has agreed to dispatch them. On Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned solely {that a} assembly of the navy’s Basic Workers had talked concerning the “safety of the sky.”
“We’re always strengthening our air and anti-drone protection. And we’re doing all the things to get extra trendy and extra highly effective methods for Ukraine,” he mentioned.
CNN’s Barbara Starr contributed reporting to this submit.