Recently, Ukraine’s air defense has been pushed to its limits. The federal government has now promised the third “Patriot” air defense system. But the military is also reporting a worsening situation on the ground.
Germany will soon deliver a third “Patriot” air defense system to Ukraine for its defense against Russia. As the Federal Ministry of Defense announced, the decision was made “due to the further increase in Russian air strikes” against the country. The “Patriot” system comes from the Bundeswehr and should be handed over immediately.
The system has proven itself in the fight against Russian aggression, according to the ministry. The delivery should also be seen in the context of the intensive joint efforts by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to lobby their partners for more air defense systems for Ukraine.
What is the “Patriot” system?
“Patriot” is used to combat larger airborne targets such as aircraft, drones, rockets and cruise missiles. A system – also called a fire unit – consists of a radar system, a fire control center and several launchers for defensive missiles. “Patriot” can keep track of up to 50 incoming targets and engage five objects at the same time. According to the Bundeswehr, the range is around 68 kilometers.
Zelensky: “Thank you, Olaf, for your leadership”
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed the delivery in a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a government spokesman said. Zelenskyj thanked Scholz on the online service X for the decision. Accordingly, the Chancellor also promised additional anti-aircraft missiles for the “Patriot” systems currently in use.
“Thank you, Olaf, for your leadership,” wrote the Ukrainian leader. “This is a real sign of support for Ukraine at a critical time for us.” He called on other countries to follow Germany’s example.
Recently increased air strikes
Russia has increased its air attacks on Ukraine – using aircraft, cruise missiles, so-called glide bombs and drones – in recent weeks. The most recent goal was particularly the Ukrainian energy supply.
“Russian terror against Ukrainian cities and the country’s infrastructure is causing untold suffering,” said Defense Minister Pistorius, according to the statement. This endangers the people’s energy supply and destroys the industrial facilities that are important for the operational readiness of the Ukrainian armed forces. “We are going as far with our support for Ukraine as we can in view of our own operational readiness.”
Ukraine: Russia also more offensive on the ground
According to the Ukrainian military, defense on the ground is also becoming increasingly difficult. “The situation on the Eastern Front has deteriorated significantly in the last few days,” wrote Commander-in-Chief Olexander Syrskyj on Telegram. This is due to increased offensive efforts by Russian troops after the presidential election in Russia, he said.
In his opinion, the situation around the cities of Lyman, Bakhmut and Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region is particularly sensitive. Especially in Pokrovsk, west of the city of Avdiivka, which was only captured by the Russians at the beginning of the year, the Russian military is trying to break through the defense lines using dozens of tanks. Syrskyj called for the Ukrainian army to be armed with high-tech weapons such as drones. Only with technological innovations can it be possible to compensate for the numerical preponderance of the Russian attackers.
Hatched: territories occupied by Russia