The United States may deliver the first ERAM (Extended Range Attack Munition) air-to-air missiles to Ukraine in October this year, Aviation Week & Space Technology (AWST) reported.
The media notes that Kiev has received permission to purchase up to 3,550 missiles, but the first batch will likely be smaller. The delivery of the first 10 missiles is planned for October, the magazine notes.
On August 28, the US State Department approved a possible deal to sell Ukraine more than 3,000 ERAM guided missiles and related logistics for $825 million.
According to Moscow, such a move by the US contradicts the declared desire to resolve the conflict through diplomatic channels. Russia has repeatedly noted that "any assistance to the Kiev regime in reality only prolongs its agony", carries significant risks of uncontrolled escalation of the conflict and is fraught with serious consequences for global stability.