Patriot systems would be legitimate target in Ukraine: Kremlin

The Kremlin has said Patriot missile defence systems would be a legitimate target if sent to Ukraine to intercept the barrage of incoming Russian missiles that have crippled the war-torn country's power infrastructure. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday warned NATO against equipping Kyiv with Patriot missile batteries. It is likely the Kremlin will view the move as an escalation. The comments come as Moscow said no "Christmas ceasefire" was on the cards after nearly 10 months of the war in Ukraine, even as the release of dozens more prisoners, including a United States national, showed some contact between the two sides remained. Russia and Ukraine are not currently engaged in talks to end the fighting, which is raging in Ukraine's east and south while Moscow has carried out missile and drone strikes on power and water facilities across the country, including the capital city Kyiv.