MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Moscow is unfazed by the new air defense system the United States will deliver to Ukraine.

"Of course, we will destroy it, 100 percent!" Putin said in an interview aired on national television, referring to the Patriot missile battery US President Joe Biden promised to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the latter's recent visit to Washington DC.

In his speech, Putin also blasted the West for trying to "tear apart" Russia and said that his offensive in Ukraine is aimed to "unite the Russian people."

Putin claimed that Ukrainians and Russians are one people.

"Divide and conquer, that's what they have always sought to accomplish and are still seeking to do," Putin said.

"But our goal is different: It's to unite the Russian people."

Putin declared his government was acting "in the right direction… protecting our national interests, the interests of our citizens, of our people."