Ukraine Urgently Seeks US Support for Advanced Air Defense Against Russia

Ukraine is urgently seeking additional air defenses to protect its power grids from potential Russian strikes during the winter. In response, the United States is developing a program called FrankenSAM, which combines advanced Western surface-to-air missiles with Soviet-era launchers and radars already in Ukraine's possession. Two variants of these improvised air defense systems have been tested and are set to be delivered to Ukraine this fall. The program aims to fill critical gaps in Ukraine's air defenses and is part of the extensive military aid that Ukraine has received from its allies since Russia's invasion in 2022.