Kremlin: American Patriot System in Ukraine to be legitimate goal for Russia

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Patriots would without doubt be “a target for Russia, but that he would not comment on unconfirmed media reports.

Washington is finalising plans to send the missile defence system to Ukraine, and a decision could be announced within the week, three American officials said.

Patriot is considered to be one of the most advanced American air defence systems, including against aircraft, navigation missiles and ballistic missiles.

Russia's embassy in Washington said the proposed transfer was provocative and could lead to unpredictable consequences.

The Pentagon says the recent increase in Russia's missile attacks in Ukraine is partially designed to drain Kyiv's supplies with air protection so that it can dominate the skies over the country.

For this reason, the US and its allies have offered more air protection to Kiev. Russian attacks targeting Ukraine's infrastructure in recent weeks have left millions of people without energy across the country./Periscopi/