The German Federal Ministry of Defense announced this in a post on X, as reported by Ukrinform.
“Germany will
immediately provide Ukraine with an additional Patriot system to counter Russian airstrikes. This is in addition to the air defense systems that have already been delivered and those planned for future delivery,” the post reads.
Up to this point, Germany has supplied Ukraine with
two Patriot systems, as reported by the Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa agency). The Ministry of Defense states that the system has already demonstrated its effectiveness in combat against Russian forces.
In response to the escalation of Russian airstrikes against Ukraine, the German government has decided to bolster Ukrainian air defenses further, according to Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. He emphasized that the
ongoing aerial assaults by Russia continue to pose a significant threat to human lives, infrastructure, and the combat readiness of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated in a press release that “Russian terror against Ukrainian cities and the country’s infrastructure is causing immeasurable suffering.” He further noted that the actions of Russian troops are
jeopardizing energy supplies for the population and destroying industrial facilities crucial to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Pistorius explained, “With our support for Ukraine, we are going as far as possible, taking into account our operational readiness.”
Russian leader Vladimir Putin is intent on destroying Ukraine. “Every day, his rockets and drones destroy what people need to live. Thanks to the additional Patriot system, we stand on the side of the residents of Ukraine and
strengthen the protective shield over their cities,” emphasized the head of RFN diplomacy, Annalena Baerbock, as quoted by the DPA
Critical time
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, thanked Germany’s Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, for approving the delivery of an additional Patriot missile system and supplying more air defense missiles at a
“critical time” for his country.
News of a
third Patriot air defense system from Germany came as the momentum on the battlefield has shifted in Russia’s favor after more than two years since it launched its invasion in February 2022.
Zelenskyy stated a week ago that
25 U.S. Patriot systems were needed to cover the entire country, which is under assault from
Russian ballistic and hypersonic missiles that can hit targets within minutes.
On Saturday, Zelenskyy wrote on the Telegram messaging app that he had an “important, productive” conversation with Scholz.
"I am grateful to the Chancellor for the decision to supply another additional Patriot system to Ukraine, as well as missiles for the existing air defense systems.”
He added, “I call on all other leaders of partner states to follow this example.”
Zelenskyy added that he and Scholz also discussed preparations for a reconstruction conference in Berlin and a peace summit in Switzerland in June.
A summary from the German government dated April 10, detailing the transfers of arms and military equipment to Ukraine, included two Patriot systems on a list of air defense supplies that have already been delivered.
In an interview with the newspaper “Bild” this week, the President of Ukraine stated, “Above all, we need air defense systems. Above all, we must be able to defend ourselves.”
Additionally, in an interview with German television ZDF, the Mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, appealed for urgent deliveries of air defense systems. He stated that Russia is causing damage to Ukrainian critical infrastructure almost daily.
