Press
Ukraine needs more air defense systems to protect the population. Most recently, Kiev apparently managed to strike a major blow against a Russian spy plane with a Patriot system.
Kiev – The Russian Beriev A-50 reconnaissance aircraft are like flying command centers through which Moscow coordinates attacks. Ukraine has already shot down two of these spy planes this year – one apparently with the help of a Patriot system from the USA, according to a high-ranking representative of the US Army, Rosanna Clemente, according to Newsweek confirmed.
Russia’s costly losses: Ukraine apparently hits spy plane with US system
A Beriev A-50 is worth an estimated 300 million US dollars (about 280 million euros). According to Ukrainian sources, Russia is said to have report the US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) only has six models left. The Oryx database, which documents Russian losses in the Ukraine war using geo-verified images, lists the shooting of the two aircraft – one in January, another in February of this year. It has now been revealed that Ukraine apparently shot down the A-50 in January with a US Patriot missile defense system.
This is loud Newsweek from a statement last month by Clemente, deputy chief of staff of the 10th Army’s air and missile defense command. Kiev’s troops would use the Patriot air defense systems in a variety of roles – some would be “used to protect static sites and critical national infrastructure, others would be deployed and do really historic things that I have not seen in 22 years of air defense,” Clemente said. “They are doing this with extremely mobile Patriot systems donated by the Germans, the systems are all mounted on trucks.”
Mobile Patriot systems in use, also to “attack the first A-50 system”
According to the expert, these mobile systems could then be deployed close to the front and can also attack Russian aircraft far away from the contact line. Ukraine had already used this tactic in January to “attack the first A-50 system,” the officer continued. It was not just the shooting down of the A-50 aircraft themselves that was a bitter blow for Russia. The loss of the well-trained crew cannot be easily compensated for either.
A Patriot system consists of a radar system, a fire control station and several launchers for the defense missiles. Patriot can, according to the armed forces up to Keep an eye on 50 incoming destinations and attack five objects simultaneously. Mainly larger targets such as aircraft, rockets and cruise missiles. Ukraine now has two Patriot air defence systems from Germany, with parts from the Netherlands, and one from the USA. However, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Kyiv needs at least seven of these systems.
The Netherlands, together with other countries, want to build another Patriot air defence system for UkraineDefense Minister Kajsa Ollongren admitted that air defense systems are in short supply in Europe. “But Ukraine is also fighting for Europe,” said the minister. “Every day, innocent citizens are killed by air strikes on civilian targets. They need these Patriots very urgently.” Washington plans to deliver five more Patriot systems by the end of the year.