Canadian supply convoys to Ukraine deemed ‘legitimate targets’ by Russian military

As Putin's invasion of Ukraine continues, the global community has mobilized in support of the besieged nation, sending supplies and aid.

In response, Russia issued a warning to foreign nations, outlining the consequences of delivering weapons to Ukraine.

As CNN reports, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov appeared on state television Saturday to discuss the issue of foreign assistance to Ukraine.

"We warned the United States that pumping Ukraine with weapons from a number of countries orchestrated by them is not just a dangerous move," he said, "but these are actions that turn the corresponding convoys into legitimate targets."

Among the nations sending weapons to Ukraine is Canada. According to Defense Minister Anita Anand, the Canadian government is working fast to deliver over 100 anti-tank missiles, and 2,000 rockets.

During a meeting of NATO Defense Ministers in Brussels on Wednesday, Anand was pressed on Russia's threat against foreign supplies.

"How do you intend to deliver weapons if President Putin says he considers them targets?" a reporter asked.

"Well let's be clear," Anand replied, "for Canada's part, we've been assisting Ukraine since 2015. We have trained 33,000 members of the Ukrainian army and we provided lethal and non-lethal before the further invasion of Ukraine."

"In fact," she continued, "our shipments of lethal aid arrived on February 22. Since that time, we have announced the provision of a number of other types of lethal aid including rocket launchers, grenades, as well as missiles, and we will continue to ensure that that aid flows to Ukraine."

Anand went on to explain that Canada is supplying Ukraine with these weapons via a number of means of transportation, "including two CC130 aircraft from the Canadian military," but she wouldn't go into any further detail for security reasons.