BRITAIN is giving Ukraine new rockets to blast Putin’s cruise missiles out of the sky.
The ground-to-air AMRAAM rockets are already used to protect the White House and upcoming football World Cup in Qatar.
The missiles will shield Ukraine’s cities and critical national infrastructure from Russian bombardments.
The rockets will work with American NASAMS air defence systems and are due to arrive within weeks.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “These weapons will help Ukraine defend its skies from attacks and strengthen their overall missile defence alongside the US NASAMS.”
Putin unleashed more than 80 cruise missiles in a deadly wave of revenge after his bridge to Crimea was blown up.
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Wallace added: “Russia’s latest indiscriminate strikes on civilian areas in Ukraine warrant further support to those seeking to defend their nation.
“So today I have authorised the supply of AMRAAM anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine.”
AMRAAMS were designed as air-to-air missiles but an extended range version was built to fire out the NASAMS advanced surface to air missile system.
Britain has already given Ukraine thousands of anti-tank, anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles, including Starstreak, NLAW and Brimstone missiles.
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The MoD said the AMRAAMS are “the first donated by the UK which are capable of shooting down cruise missiles.”
Nato vowed to “ramp up” support after US President Biden said he did NOT think Putin would unleash nukes despite repeated threats.
Nato’s Secretay General Jens Stoltenberg said air defence was his top priority after swathes of Ukraine were plunged into darkness and Kyiv was forced halt power exports to Europe.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said Putin’s wave of revenge attacks had deepened Ukraine’s resolve to win and brought allies closer together.
Speaking at meeting of more than 50 allies he said said Putin’s bloodbath onslaught had been waged “with deep contempt for the rules of war”.
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Russia killed at least 19 people, injured 100 more, as it bombarded power and pumping stations across more than 20 cities in the biggest missile attack since the first phase of the war.
It came days after Putin “miracle” bridge to Crimea was blown up in a humiliating blow to the Kremlin.
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