Russia "will not allow" S-300 air defense system transfer to Ukraine: report

In a major development, US-based satellite, Terran Orbital is providing vital strategic support to Ukraine

Kyiv:

Russia has threatened to attack Ukraine’s supply chains of S-300 air defense systems after Slovakia announced it was ready to support Kyiv by providing said defense systems, local media reported on Friday ( local time).

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow “will not allow” the transfer of the S-300 air defense system, the Kyiv Independent reports.

Earlier on Thursday, Slovakia’s defense ministry said the country was ready to send S-300s of long-range air defense systems to Ukraine provided Western allies give them a “reasonable replacement” to avoid creating a security gap. The Washington Post reports.

In a major development, the US-based satellite, Terran Orbital is providing vital strategic support to Ukraine.

According to Ukraine’s defense ministry, the satellite maker is sharing vital data and images of the movement of Russian troops with the conflict-torn country.

“This vital information helps us defend our country from Kremlin aggression and terrorism,” Ukraine’s Defense Ministry wrote in a tweet.

US-based satellite manufacturer @terranorbital sending out ???????? With significant strategic support. Company share important data and images with us ???????? movement of troops. This vital information helps us to protect our country from Kremlin aggression and terrorism.#standwithUkraine

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) 18 March 2022

As the war continues, the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, reiterated the EU’s commitment to Ukraine in the midst of Russia’s aggression. In a virtual call, von der Leyen assured Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky of the EU’s ‘uninterrupted support’.

The President of the European Union praised the union’s solidarity policy which is helping refugees from Ukraine seek refuge in EU countries in this time of dire need.

Von der Leyen wrote in a tweet, “Reconciliation policy has long been the silent force of our union. Helping us grow together. And today, the reconciliation policy allows EU countries to quickly and humanely treat Ukrainian refugees.” may help to welcome you.”

On 24 February, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics requested help to defend themselves.

Russia is facing heavy pressure from the international community to halt its military operations in Ukraine, which has created a huge humanitarian crisis with thousands of refugees from Ukraine fleeing neighboring countries to the west.