Russia threatens “consequences” if Ukraine gets Patriot missiles

Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Thursday accused the United States of effectively being a party to the war in Ukraine. She added that if the U.S. fulfilled a promise to send a long-range Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine, there would be “possible consequences.” U.S. officials said Tuesday that a battery of the Patriot missiles could soon be approved to be sent to Ukraine. The Patriot systems could play a key role in stopping Russian missiles that have devastated Ukrainian infrastructure on the cusp of winter. Russian officials have said that any Patriot systems in Ukraine would be considered legitimate targets.

What is a Patriot missile system? It’s an anti-air missile system that can shoot down everything from planes to missiles. It could require as many as 90 troops to operate and maintain it. The missile system, which debuted in the 1980s, is one of the most proven and widely operated missile defense systems in the world, according to military analyst Tom Karako. The launchers cost about $10 million, and the missiles cost about $4 million per round.

Dig deeper: Read Jenny Lind Schmitt’s report in WORLD Magazine about sitting together with people in pain amidst the war in Ukraine.