US-surprised ex-US general lets Russia miss Ukraine at will

WASHINGTON – A former United States (USA) general was stunned by the attitude of President Joe Biden’s government, which allowed Russia at will fire missiles against Ukraine .

Retired General (retired) Ben Hodges, a former US Army commander, made the comments in light of Thursday’s Russian missile attack reportedly involving a 9K720 Iskander short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) .

After the attack, the Russian Defense Ministry promised that Moscow would never run out of Kalibr missiles.

Former SEAL Six Team squadron leader, Chuck Pfarrer, formerlytweets that SRBMs were launched from Russian-occupied areas inside Ukraine and were targeting nearby cities. The missile comes from Russia and can cover a distance of up to 500 kilometres.

Read also: Sergei Lavrov: The United States is at war with Russia, there are hundreds of American soldiers in Ukraine

“Why did we allow the Russians to shoot cover?” asked Hodges on Friday.

“Not providing ATACMS [Sistem Rudal Taktis Angkatan Darat], [jet tempur] F-16 and other long-range strike capabilities in Ukraine, we are basically providing cover for Russia capable of killing innocent civilians in Ukraine without fear of consequences. Unsustainable policy,” Hodges allegedly said NewsweekSaturday (31/12/2022).

In an announcement in line with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent visit to Washington, US officials confirmed that Patriot air defense systems will eventually be delivered to Ukraine.

The Patriot missile system battery, described as a potential game-changing defense system, is capable of intercepting Iskander missiles and other air strikes launched on behalf of the Russian military.

Ukraine’s air defenses made another show of force on Friday morning. Ukrainian officials said their Air Force shot down 16 Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones, prompting an airstrike warning instructing residents in the Kyiv, Cherkasy and Kirovohrad regions to take cover.