Russia reacts to US plan to send Kiev Patriot missiles, Washington comments on Ukraine

The Russian government warned on the night of December 14 that the Patriot missile systems that the US plans to transfer to Ukraine could become legal targets.

RT news agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying that the Russian military would certainly attack US Patriot systems if this type of weapon appeared in Ukraine.

“If that happens, then the Patriot systems will become legitimate targets. That is obvious. However, I will not comment on it at the moment, because this information comes from media reports. Let us wait for official information,” Peskov said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Photo: TASS

According to RT, this is not the first time Russian leaders have spoken about this issue. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, currently Deputy Chairman of the National Security Council, made a similar statement last month.

Previously, an anonymous US official in an interview with CNN on December 13 revealed that the Joe Biden administration was finalizing a plan to transfer the Patriot defense system to Ukraine.

“The plan is expected to be announced this week after receiving formal approval from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and President Joe Biden. Once approved, the transfer of the Patriot systems to Ukraine will take place within days. Ukrainian soldiers will be trained to use it at the US military base in Grafenwoehr, Germany,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

US comments on the situation in Ukraine

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on the evening of December 14 (Washington time) that the conflict in Ukraine will continue in the coming time and shows no signs of cooling down in the winter months.

“Based on what we’ve seen in the air and on the ground, it’s hard to say whether the fighting will end before the end of the year. Right now, there’s a lot of fighting going on. I don’t think the cold weather will limit air and ground operations,” Kirby said at a White House briefing.

Mr. Kirby also confirmed the information about Moscow releasing American citizen Suedi Murekezi. “However, I will not release further details about citizen Murekezi for privacy reasons,” the spokesman for the US National Security Council said.