US approves sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine

The US has approved the sale of 500 Patriot missiles to Ukraine, a critically-needed munition for defence against escalating Russian aerial attacks, after Kyiv said deliveries had been delayed in recent months.

The US State Department said the advanced PAC-3 interceptor missiles would cost $2.1bn (£1.6bn) and would be "funded entirely" by Kyiv's allies in Europe and Canada.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly urged the US to speed up deliveries of its Patriots - the only effective weapon in downing Russia's deadly ballistic missiles.

The latest move comes just days after a row between Zelensky and Donald Trump, with the US president saying it was time for Ukraine to get a new leader to try to end the war with Russia.