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The U.S. is sending its famed Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine, Biden administration officials confirmed Wednesday, marking a major step forward in American military aid to Kyiv as its war with Russia nears the 10-month mark.
The State Department announcement of a $1.85 billion aid package came just hours before a scheduled White House meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Biden, their first face-to-face meeting since the war began last February. Mr. Zelenskyy, who will also address a joint session of Congress on his first known overseas trip since the war began in February, has been pleading for the Patriot system as Russian rocket and drone attacks against Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure sites have intensified over the past several months.
U.S. officials say the Patriot system will give Ukraine much greater ability to target and destroy Russian missiles and aircraft before they can strike. For the first time, the U.S. aid package also includes so-called “Joint Direct Attack Munitions,” which will give the Ukrainian forces new capabilities to strike Russian targets at greater distances.
