The United States could ship Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine sooner than originally planned, the Pentagon spokesman told reporters on Tuesday.
The Pentagon is “confident to be able to deliver the Patriots [en Ukraine] in an expedited time,” Patrick Ryder said on Tuesday. The spokesman for the US Department of Defense nevertheless refrained from disclosing the actual shipment schedule, reports the official Russian news agency. TASS.
A medium-range surface-to-air anti-aircraft defense missile, the Patriots are an advanced long-range air defense system that is highly effective in intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles.
He also did not say whether the air defense systems will be shipped to Kyiv ahead of the planned counteroffensive attempt.
65 Ukrainians trained
Ryder, however, confirmed that Ukrainians had been trained in the use of Patriot systems in the United States “faster than expected”.
Earlier, CNN reported that a group of 65 Ukrainian servicemen, who were training in the running of the Patriots, had completed the course before the set deadline.
According to the Pentagon spokesman, Washington will publicly announce the entry into service entered service in the Ukrainian forces when this happens.
The supply of these missiles would prove to be a crucial aid for Ukraine which is frequently the target of Russian missile and drone bombardments on its key infrastructure.
