The United States will send another Patriot missile system to Ukraine after Kiev's desperate calls for more anti-aircraft equipment as it faces intense Russian attacks on the northeastern Kharkiv region, two US officials said.
The US has already sent one Patriot system to Ukraine and has regularly sent ammunition for that system. Other Allies, including Germany, also provided anti-aircraft systems and ammunition for them.
The officials, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the decision had not been made official, said U.S. President Joe Biden had approved sending the second Patriot.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky late last month requested additional US-made Patriot systems, arguing that they would help his forces defend against the nearly 3.000 bombs that Russia launches into Ukraine each month.
Zelensky said in Madrid that Ukraine still urgently needs seven more defense systems against Russian attacks on the power grid and civilian areas, as well as military targets, with explosive cruise bombs that cause great destruction.
He said that Ukraine needs two systems to protect Kharkiv, where Russia launched an offensive on May 10.
"If we had these modern Patriot systems, (Russian) planes would not be able to fly close enough to drop (gliding) bombs on the civilian population and the military," Zelensky said at a press conference in the Spanish capital.
The decision comes as defense chiefs from the US, European Union and other countries prepare for a monthly meeting on Ukraine's security needs. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will host a meeting in Brussels on Thursday.
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