The United States is set to send a second Patriot missile battery to Ukraine, as reported by individuals familiar with the matter.
The decision comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged for increased support to bolster their air-defense capabilities against potential Russian aggression.
The New York Times reported earlier that President Joe Biden had signed off on sending a second Patriot battery to Ukraine. Individuals involved in the private deliberations requested anonymity, while agents for the Pentagon and the National Security Council declined to comment.
Meanwhile, the State Department clarified on Tuesday that Ukraine’s Azov Brigade will be granted access to American training and weapons, following a U.S. review that revealed no evidence of human rights violations. This move dismisses Russian disinformation aimed at undermining the unit’s reputation.
The department clarified that although U.S. law prohibits military assistance to foreign security forces implicated in severe human rights violations, a review specifically examining Ukraine’s National Guard, including the 12th Special Forces Azov Brigade, deemed them eligible for U.S. funds.
The department stated that following a comprehensive review, Ukraine’s 12th Special Forces Azov Brigade successfully passed the Leahy vetting conducted by the U.S. Department of State, referring to the Leahy Law.