World
US approves sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine
The American-made interceptors are the only effective weapon for downing Russia's ballistic missiles.
BBC World•
President Volodymyr Zelensky has recently admitted that Ukraine was running critically low on Patriots
The US has approved the sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, a critically-needed munition for defence against escalating Russian aerial attacks, after Kyiv said deliveries had been delayed in recent months.
The US State Department said the advanced PAC-3 interceptor missiles would cost $2.1bn (£1.6bn) and would be "funded entirely" by Kyiv's allies in Europe and Canada.
The statement said the "principal contractor" would be American company Lockheed Martin, adding that "no US funds are involved in this sale".