President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday he wanted to double Ukraine’s air defense capabilities over the summer after the country received a third Patriot system from Germany, responding to a request to be equipped to withstand Russian air strikes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Associated Press) {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}}
Moscow renewed air attacks on Ukraine’s national power grid in the spring, causing widespread blackouts, and President Zelenskiy has said he needs at least seven Patriot systems to protect his country.
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“I tasked my team this summer with doubling our defense capabilities, primarily with Patriot missiles,” Zelenskiy told regional leaders, also referring to the U.S. Hawk and German Iris systems.
“And now we’re starting to see results.”
In comments posted on his Telegram channel, Zelenskiy said Ukraine also received “additional assistance” from the United States on Friday, but did not provide details.
Earlier, in an evening video address, the president expressed gratitude to Germany for providing a third Patriot system.
Martin Jäger, Germany’s ambassador to Ukraine, told X that the newly delivered systems would provide better protection for civilians and critical infrastructure.
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“The Ukrainian crew successfully completed the appropriate training in Germany,” he said.
Kiev said it hoped to make progress on the air defence supplies at a NATO summit in Washington next week, and a senior US State Department official said Kiev expected to get “good news” at the summit.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and regularly uses an arsenal of missiles and drones to launch long-range attacks.
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