The Biden administration announced a new $1.85 billion military assistance package for Ukraine on Wednesday, which includes the Patriot missile systemthe most advanced air-defense weapon in the American arsenal and one of Ukraine’s top requests.
“Today’s assistance for the first time includes the Patriot Air Defense System, capable of bringing down cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles and aircraft at a significantly higher ceiling than previously provided air-defense systems,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement announcing the latest aid, which he said was in response to Russia’s “ongoing brutal and unprovoked assault.”