War in Ukraine - Selenskyj: Ukraine needs at least 25 Patriot-systems
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy updated his statements on the minimum number of Patriot-systems required for the protection of the entire country. "To completely secure Ukraine, we need 25 Patriot-systems, according to our military's opinion," he said at a press conference in Kiev.
Zelenskyy avoided mentioning the number of existing Patriot-systems. He also emphasized that for a complex air defense system, systems of various ranges and capabilities are necessary. He also reminded that Kiev was offered five additional Patriot batteries or comparable systems at the recent NATO summit in Washington. A month ago, Zelenskyy said in Italy at the G7 summit that his country needs at least seven such systems.
Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has received at least four Patriot-systems, including three solely from Germany. According to media reports, several launchers have been destroyed or damaged by Russian air strikes. A complete system consisting of radar, antennas, fire control and command center, and several launchers costs, converted, several hundred million Euros. The price for a modern air defense rocket is reportedly around three million Euros, according to various estimates.
Ukraine has been defending itself against Russian invasion with Western help since February 2022. Ukraine's air defense has been supplemented by modern systems, mainly from Germany. However, the air defense is regularly breached by Russian rockets and drones. According to reports, a weapons factory in the center of the capital Kiev was hit by several rockets during a Russian attack last week. A rocket also hit a children's hospital. At least 30 people were killed according to official reports.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the need for 25 Patriot-systems to fully secure the entire country at a press conference in Kiev, during his recent updates on the minimum required number.
- At the recent NATO Summit in Washington, Ukraine was offered five additional Patriot batteries or comparable systems by various allied countries, including Germany.
- Despite receiving at least four Patriot-systems, with three coming solely from Germany, Ukraine's air defense has been consistently breached by Russian rockets and drones in the ongoing conflict.
- The Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in several attacks on civilian infrastructure in Kiev, such as last week's rocket strike on a children's hospital, causing significant casualties and damage.
