Missile Defense: Iran or Russia? Ukraine Angered by Israel’s “Special Treatment”

---

For Ukraine, the U.S. favoring one ally over another represents a “double standard,” and fairness in support is required.

• In Ukraine… A New Enemy Emerges, and Russia Bets on “Trench Warfare”

• Zelensky’s Gamble in the Battle of Kursk: A “Heavy Cost” for Ukraine

Ukraine wants the United States to shoot down Russian missiles, but the “tough answer” for Kyiv is that “Russia has nuclear weapons, while Iran does not,” according to Politico.

This week, the U.S. deployed an advanced air defense system and dozens of troops to protect Israel from Iranian ballistic missiles. However, there is no such assistance for Ukraine, despite it facing daily Russian drone, missile, and bomb attacks, Politico notes.

In Kyiv, this is called a “double standard.” Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked, “If our allies can shoot down missiles together over the Middle East, why is there still no decision to shoot down drones and missiles over Ukraine?”

• CNN reveals details of the deadliest Russian attack on Ukraine since the start of the war

• Reward for Ukraine and ‘sanctions’ on Russia: American messages to both sides of the war

When U.S. and British defense systems helped down hundreds of Iranian missiles earlier this month, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated: “We call on our allies to defend our airspace with the same determination and without hesitation from Russian missile and drone attacks, recognizing that human life is equally precious in any part of the world.”

This was not the first time allies had stepped in to defend Israel, as they had previously helped repel an Iranian attack in April.

The Reason is “Clear”

Politico explains that the reason for the U.S. acting boldly in Israel but cautiously in Ukraine is straightforward: “Russia is armed with nuclear warheads, while Iran is not.”

• Attack « Disrupts » Power Supply in Ukraine and Targets Foreign Mercenaries’ Headquarters

• With New UAE Mediation, Russia and Ukraine Prepare to Exchange 90 Prisoners

A senior Senate aide working on Ukraine policy told Politico: “The hard truth, which Ukrainians may not like hearing but is unfortunately true, is that we can risk shooting down Iranian missiles over Israel without triggering a direct war with Tehran, which could lead to nuclear conflict.”

He added, “There are far greater risks in attempting that with Russia.”

Two Biden administration officials, speaking anonymously, shared this view with Politico. They explained that sending U.S. troops over Ukraine to shoot down Russian missiles could lead to direct military confrontation between the world’s two largest nuclear powers, with potentially devastating consequences.

• “The Russian Hell” shakes Ukraine… Learn about the “Doomsday” bomb 

• Six Successful Mediations: The UAE’s Ongoing Efforts to Resolve the Ukraine Crisis

In the Middle East, the U.S. can shoot down missiles over Israel without provoking a war with a nuclear-armed adversary.

The magazine notes that Iran has enriched nuclear materials to levels close to weapon-grade, but it has not attempted to build a nuclear bomb.

Mykola Bielieskov, a researcher at Ukraine’s National Institute for Strategic Studies, lamented: “It’s sad to see as an ordinary Ukrainian citizen – when your country and fellow citizens are sacrificed as part of a deal to avoid escalation with Moscow.”

• Biden’s Policy Towards Ukraine: A March Toward “Disaster”

• The Ukraine War drains Russian resources and affects its influence in the Mediterranean

What Kyiv Wants

Yurii Ihnat, interim spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, explained: “Usually, our partners inform us of Russian bombers moving into firing positions. They tell us when and where the Russians are preparing attacks.”

Once the alert is issued, thousands of reconnaissance, communication, and mobile air defense units spring into action.

Ukrainian pilots also intensify their preparations in case of massive attacks. Last August, Oleksiy Mysy, an F-16 pilot, was killed during an attack when Russia launched more than 230 missiles at Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

• Russia’s “Victories” in Ukraine: 4 Reasons Behind the Progress

• Nighttime Drone War Between Russia and Ukraine Continues… Exchange of Fire

Russian drones have also strayed into Poland and Romania. Both countries, members of the European Union and NATO, have responded with fighter jets, but they have so far limited themselves to monitoring Russian weapons without shooting them down.

Kyiv hopes that Poland and Romania will actively intervene, either in their own airspace or over western Ukraine. Both nations have agreed to discuss this possibility under a recently signed mutual security pact, but Poland has yet to change its policy.

Warsaw has made it clear that it will not act without full NATO support.

• Power Balance Shifts: American Atacms Missiles Open New Avenues for Ukraine Against Russia

• Her fingers to Ukraine… Russia announces new evidence regarding the hall attack

Between Iran and Russia

Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that this support does not exist. Washington has also indicated that it does not want to escalate the conflict with Russia.

Kyiv hopes that there will eventually be an agreement to shoot down missiles and drones over Ukraine, just as Western artillery, tanks, missiles, and fighter jets were eventually delivered despite initial fears of crossing Vladimir Putin’s red lines.

In an interview with Politico, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said there is “heated debate” on this issue in Poland and within NATO.

• Putin Ready for Nuclear War: His Stance on US Forces in Ukraine

• Accusations of mutual attacks between Russia and Ukraine as the New Year begins

He added: “NATO‘s borders are oscillating between periods of peace and crisis,” noting that the Kremlin’s intentions remain unclear.

According to him, “some of these incidents endanger our citizens, [and] some people speculate that the Russians are testing our reactions, [but] I doubt that with so many drones and missiles, they lose control of them.”

While Kyiv wants its allies to act as they do for Israel, two Ukrainian air defense officers, speaking anonymously, explained that it is easier for Israel to defend itself than it is for Ukraine.

• Targeting the Kremlin… Ukraine Fails in Its Counterattack on the Russian Capital 

• The military crisis between Ukraine and Russia has escalated 

“Israel is a small country, meaning the U.S. can use air defense systems on ships.” In contrast, Ukraine is a “massive country, unreachable by Western naval forces, forcing its allies to deploy air defenses along the western borders of the country, only protecting nearby areas.”