Day 294: US Poised to Provide Advanced Missile Defense Systems, Reports Say

Facts

• According to reports in CNN, Reuters and the Associated Press — all of whom cited three unnamed American officials on Tuesday — the US is finalizing plans to send Raytheon-made Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine.
• While a decision on sending the advanced system has reportedly been in consideration for some time, the trigger hasn't been pulled amid fears it would be seen as an escalation by Russia, as well as concerns it would require US troops in Ukraine to operate its technology. Nonetheless, the three outlets reported that an affirmative decision is expected this week.
• Meanwhile on Wednesday, multiple blasts were heard in Kyiv and its surrounding region, after Russia launched a renewed drone attack on the capital before daybreak. Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that all 13 drones were intercepted by missile defense systems. In spite of this, five buildings were reportedly damaged — believed to be a result of falling debris. There were no reports of civilian casualties at this stage.
• Further Russian attacks, using rockets, mortars, and artillery were reported in Kherson, where one civilian was reported killed and another was injured. The regions of Sumy, Mykolaiv and Dnipropetrovsk were also attacked without reports of civilian casualties.
• Meanwhile, pro-Russia officials from the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) reported that seven civilians were killed and four more were injured in Ukrainian attacks on the region over the past day.
• Elsewhere, amid reports that Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin has canceled his annual State of the Nation address and press conference, a parliamentary source told Russian news agency TASS that it will likely be held in early 2023, though this has not been confirmed.

Sources: Associated Press, Ukrinform, Dan News, and Tass.

Narratives

• Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by Associated Press. Zelenskyy has constantly pleaded with Western countries to provide more advanced weapons systems to help bring about an end to the war. Delivery of the Patriot missile defense system will help Ukraine defend from Russian aerial attacks more effectively.
• Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by Tass. This move is not only about defense — it is an escalation. If the US sends Patriot missile defense systems to Kyiv, they will be considered fair game for Russian attacks, as will any personnel who are needed for their operation.

Predictions