Russia’s surge in missile strikes in Ukraine are partly designed to exhaust Ukraine’s provides of air defenses, one thing Moscow hopes would permit its forces to attain dominance of the skies above the nation, a senior Pentagon official mentioned on Saturday.

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“They’re actually attempting to overwhelm and exhaust Ukrainian air protection programs,” Colin Kahl, underneath secretary of protection for coverage, advised reporters throughout a visit to the Center East.

“We all know what the Russian principle of victory is, and we’re dedicated to creating certain that is not going to work by ensuring that the Ukrainians get what they should preserve their air defenses viable.”