The US has promised Ukraine Patriot anti-aircraft weapons to better protect civilians against Russian missile attacks. Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin is consciously relaxed. Russia will “crack the patriots”, he announced. However, the defense systems in Ukraine will not be operational any time soon.
“I am returning from Washington with good results,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday night, referring mainly to the Patriot air defense system the United States plans to send to Ukraine – as part of another multibillion-dollar military aid package. which also included new ammunition. Zelenskyy emphasized that the Patriot anti-aircraft weapons could now protect both the state and the people.
Putin claims that these weapons are outdated and not as good as Russia’s S-300 anti-missile missiles. “There is always an antidote”, Russia will “crack the patriots”, he announced on Thursday. In plain language, this means that Russian forces will continue to bomb civilian infrastructure, as they have been doing since October. Millions of Ukrainians are therefore exposed to the winter cold without heating, electricity or water.
Patriots are not a panacea
There is a grain of truth in Putin’s grand words. Admittedly, according to military experts, the Patriot missiles are definitely an enhanced protection against such devastating missile and drone attacks and strengthen the Ukrainian air defense at medium and short ranges. But they are not a panacea. And when is the system actually used?
The US government has so far been silent on the matter. However, an anonymous Pentagon official said it would take “several months for the Ukrainian armed forces to have the training needed to successfully deploy the Patriot system,” he told military journalist Howard Altman.
Training starts “very soon”
Security concerns have been silent on when the system will arrive in Ukraine, how many Ukrainian soldiers will be trained on Patriot batteries, and when training will begin. “Very soon,” the official said simply. There is also the question of which interceptor missiles the Patriots will be equipped with: the older PAC-3 or the more modern PAC-3 MSE. The latter can cover a much larger area, are more flexible and effective against tactical ballistic missiles.
Meanwhile, Ukraine hopes for more modern war machines to defend against the Russian invasion. Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Melnyk once again called on Germany to provide main battle tanks and armored personnel carriers. He wished that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) “finally reconsider restraint, for example with the Leopard main battle tank and the Marder infantry fighting vehicle,” the former ambassador of Ukraine to Germany told the editorial network Germany (RND). “If the federal government does not want to go it alone with the supply, then Germany could pursue a leading role on the continent, forge a European tank alliance.”
More billions for Kiev
Kiev can count on further equipment from Estonia and financial aid. The Estonian government decided on Thursday to deliver drones, protective clothing and winter uniforms to the attacked country. The Netherlands promises an extra 2.5 billion euros next year. The Hague expects that this amount will be needed to provide military aid, restore destroyed infrastructure and make a financial contribution to law enforcement efforts, the Dutch government said. On Friday, the US Congress also approved further emergency aid for Ukraine. An additional $44.9 billion (about €42.3 billion) is planned.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
