Russia Condemns Possible Patriot Air Defense Systems Shipment To Ukraine

Russian Embassy: "The possible transfer of Patriot complexes by the United States to Kyiv would be another provocative step, fraught with unpredictable consequences". Image/video Russian MOD, enhanced by Donald Standeford.

By Donald Standeford, SJ Founder/Publisher
December 15, 2022 07:23 pm UTC
Modified: 2022-12-15 07:23 am

MOSCOW - The Russian Embassy to the United States has condemned the possible shipment of long-range Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine by the US, saying that the move would be a provocative step.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti cited the Russian Embassy in Washington Wednesday as saying that "The possible transfer of Patriot complexes by the United States to Kyiv would be another provocative step, fraught with unpredictable consequences".

The following propaganda video was also released by Russia's Ministry of Defense, where an RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is allegedly being loaded into a silo. 

The reports and video was released shortly after reports that the United States is currently considering sending the Patriot air defense missile system to Ukraine. 

The RS-24 Yars is a modification of the Topol-MR, modified with a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) which contains several thermonuclear warheads, each capable of being aimed at and destroying multiple different targets. 

The diplomatic mission's Telegram channel stated that "An information campaign has been launched in the United States about the allegedly impending shipment of high-tech air defense systems to Kyiv. It is alleged that Joe Biden may soon make such a decision. If this information is confirmed, then we will witness another provocative step by the administration, which could lead to unpredictable consequences."

The Russian Embassy also said that continuing to give defensive supplies to Ukraine will only strengthen the "sense of impunity" of Kyiv and claimed that it would push it to "new crimes against civilians in Donbas".

The Russian Embassy said that even if the United States does not provide Patriot missile systems to Kyiv, the U.S. is "getting deeper and deeper into the conflict" in the "post-Soviet space," according to RIA Novosti.

It said that "The flow of weapons is growing, the training of Ukrainian military personnel is expanding, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine are being supplied with intelligence data. Sending American military specialists to the combat zone is increasingly being discussed. In addition, US citizens are participating in the confrontation as mercenaries.

"This line of Washington causes enormous damage not only to Russian-American relations but also creates additional risks for global security. It is the United States that is responsible for the prolongation and escalation of the Ukrainian conflict," it added.