Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kiev had received additional Patriot missile defense systems from Germany.
“Today, we can already say there is a good result for our air defense – Ukraine now has more Patriots. I would like to thank Chancellor Merz, I thank Germany, and everyone who helps,” Zelensky said on Sunday. “More Patriots are now in Ukraine and being put into operation.”
Ukraine has relied on its Western backers for Patriot systems, which are in high demand from Washington’s partners across the globe. While the Patriot is Ukraine’s most effective air defense system, the Financial Times reported last month that the American system is failing to intercept Russian missiles at an increasing pace.
“Ukraine’s ballistic missile interception rate improved over the summer, reaching 37% in August, but it plummeted to 6% in September, despite fewer launches,” the outlet explained. “The Patriot interceptors are the only ones in Kiev’s arsenal capable of shooting down Russian ballistic missiles. Moscow’s cruise missiles can be taken down with less sophisticated air defences, but the updates have made it harder to do so,” officials speaking with FT said.
Russian ballistic missiles are far cheaper to produce than the Patriot interceptors.
After thanking his backers for sending Ukraine the advanced air defense systems, Zelensky asked for more. “Of course, more systems are needed to protect key infrastructure sites and our cities across the entire territory of our state.” He continued, “And we will continue working to obtain them – not only at the political level with states and leaders but also directly with manufacturers of all necessary air defense systems and missiles for them.”
NATO officials continue to claim that the bloc will provide Ukraine with all it needs to fight. However, Last month, the US Ambassador to NATO said that the alliance would only provide Kiev with $12-$15 billion in military assistance, far short of the $60 billion Zelensky says Ukraine will need.
