The Pentagon announced that it would “expedite” it deployment of Patriot air defense missiles and artillery ammunition to Ukraine as part of its new US military aid package.

However, new Patriot systems to launch the missiles they will not be sent, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin clarified.

At his request, the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the Patriots “urgently” need to address one intensifying Russian air threat and “they can and should be saving lives right now.”

On Saturday, Ukraine said Russia had carried out another massive airstrike. Authorities in Kharkiv said a hospital was damaged. Energy facilities in three regions were attacked, Ukraine’s energy minister said.

Russia attacked with cruise missiles, S-300 surface-to-air missiles and Iskander ballistic missiles, Ukraine said, adding that 21 were shot down using fighter jets and air defense systems.

Ukraine claimed that hit two Russian oil refineries on Russian territory. Footage from a refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region appeared to have caused a large explosion, although local authorities denied significant damage.

For their part, Russian authorities said on Saturday that they shot down about 68 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory.

Speaking on Friday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a news conference that the US would “move immediately” to bring weapons to Ukraine. The US is releasing 6 billion dollars for this purpose. The $6 billion is part of a comprehensive aid package 60 billion dollars signed by US President Joe Biden on Wednesday.

The aid will include air defense munitions, anti-drone systems and artillery munitions but not new Patriot missile systems.

“They don’t just need Patriots [οι Ουκρανοί], other interception systems are needed,” said the US Secretary of Defense. “I would caution us all not to make the Patriots the silver bullet.” he added.

Mr. Austin added that he was confident that more of the missile systems would soon be made available to Kiev. Talks are continuing with European partners, he said, to provide “additional capabilities”.

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Brown, said the aid would eliminate the need for Ukrainians to save shells for the front line.

Some of the funds will also go towards the creation of the defense industry of Ukraineso he can start making more of the ammunition he desperately needs.

Mr Austin said Russia had already increased its domestic production of artillery ammunition and other weapons – and that it was being supported from supplies from Iran and North Korea.