**US Halts Air Defense Missile Deliveries to Ukraine, Putting Civilians at Risk**
A devastating blow to Ukraine’s air defense capabilities has been dealt by the US, which has halted deliveries of critical air defense missiles. This decision is expected to lead to “major casualties among civilians,” according to a Ukrainian air defense commander.
The move comes as Russia continues its brutal assault on Ukraine, with recent strikes being more deadly than ever before. The US had previously promised to deliver these vital systems, including the PAC-3 Patriot missile launcher and associated missiles, but has now frozen shipments due to concerns over dwindling US stockpiles.
“This is terrible news for Ukraine,” said Oleksii, a deputy commander who coordinates mobile air defense groups in Kyiv Oblast. “Cutting off delivery of missiles for Patriot anti-air systems will mean a weaker air defense system over the country, and as a result, destruction of civilian infrastructure and major casualties among civilians.”
The PAC-3 missile system is Ukraine’s most effective air defense measure against Russian ballistic missiles like Iskander and Kinzhal. These missiles travel at speeds several times that of sound, making them extremely difficult to intercept.
**Why Ukraine Can’t Build Its Own Patriots**
Despite innovative efforts by Ukrainian weapons production, the country cannot replicate the interlinking expertise and precision required for the Patriot PAC-3 system. This is because the technology and manufacturing process took decades to develop with significant US government backing and funding.
Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing – the companies behind the Patriot system – have each reported revenues exceeding $60 billion annually, far surpassing Ukraine’s annual tax revenue. Ukrainian factories were built by the Soviet Union for specific tasks and lack the capabilities to produce complex systems like PAC-3 missiles.
**Europe Can’t Fill the Gap**
While European manufacturers have comparable air-defense systems, they have proved less effective within Ukraine and are not produced at the same mass scale as Patriot missiles. The US government also controls the flow of these sophisticated systems and ammunition, meaning it can effectively embargo access to them for Ukraine.
The halt in deliveries is seen by Ukrainian officials as a deliberate attempt to weaken their negotiating position and force them to accept conditions dictated by external forces. This decision will have far-reaching consequences for the civilian population and the ongoing war effort.
**Conclusion**
The US denial of air defense missiles to Ukraine marks a serious blow, with no ready technological solution available. As Russian forces continue to mass at the front and air attacks intensify across the country, Ukraine’s ability to protect its civilians is now severely compromised.
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