US deploying Patriot battery to Slovakia after S-300 sent to Ukraine

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US is deploying a Patriot anti-air system to Slovakia after Bratislava delivered an S-300 battery to Ukraine, US President Joe Biden announced on Friday.

Biden lauded the Slovakian government for transferring the S-300 to Ukraine, saying it is part of US efforts to ensure Ukraine "can defend itself against Russian aggression."

"Now is no time for complacency," the president said in a statement. "As the Russian military repositions for the next phase of this war, I have directed my Administration to continue to spare no effort to identify and provide to the Ukrainian military the advanced weapons capabilities it needs to defend its country."

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Slovakia's transfer of the S-300 provides Kyiv with a "critical defensive capability," and speaks to the resolve with which Ukraine's neighbors are determined to help the nation defend itself "against Russia’s unprovoked invasion."

Delivery of the US Patriot system is expected "in coming days," Austin said, noting that the length of the deployment has yet to be agreed upon amid ongoing consultations with the Slovakian government "about more permanent air defense solutions."

"This deployment of Patriot capabilities to Slovakia aligns perfectly with our previous efforts to bolster NATO’s defensive capabilities and to demonstrate our collective security requirements under Article 5 of the NATO treaty," Austin said in a statement.

"It complements the NATO multinational battlegroup in eastern Slovakia, which includes air defense elements from Germany and the Netherlands," he added.

Russia began its war against Ukraine on Feb. 24. It has drawn international outrage, with the EU, US, and the UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,626 civilians have been killed and 2,267 injured in Ukraine, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be far higher.

More than 4.3 million Ukrainians have fled to other countries, with over 7 million more internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.