More Patriot systems will make the war pointless for Putin – Zelenskyy

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine needs 10-12 more Patriot air defense systems to fully protect its skies from Russian air attacks.

He stated this during a meeting with the chairman of the European Parliament’s Group of Socialists and Democrats, Iratxe Perez Garcia, in Kyiv, Ukrinform reports.

Zelenskyy emphasized that “certainly air defense systems” are the main guarantee of security for Ukrainians.

“Everyone understands that 10-12 additional Patriot systems for Ukraine will ensure our lives and make the war pointless for Putin,” Zelenskyy said.

“If the sky is protected, no KABs (guided aerial bombs—Ed.), ballistic missiles will hit the civilian infrastructure of Ukraine—hospitals, schools, universities,” the Ukrainian president said.

The Ukrainian president called on Western partners to finance the Patriot for Ukraine at the expense of Russian assets.

“Sometimes I really don’t understand: one and a half billion is worth one system. Please take this money from Russian assets. It will cost 30 billion, but it will be able to completely, finally close our skies. That’s all,” Zelensky explained.

NATO “received positively” Ukraine’s request for air defense systems

Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said that Ukraine is asking NATO countries to find an opportunity to transfer at least 20 air defense systems to help the country effectively repel Russian air attacks.

In early December, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Kyiv’s request for a significant number of air defense systems to protect nuclear and other critical infrastructure was received positively.

The NATO Secretary General reminded that this is not an easy task, as the systems available in the Alliance are distributed and perform specific tasks.

Mark Rutte did not specify the number of new systems and types that could be provided but reiterated that an agreement had been reached for maximum joint efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense. 

On November 28, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced the transfer of three Patriot missile launchers to Ukraine. The Dutch minister noted that Ukrainians are facing a difficult winter, as Russia’s destructive airstrikes continue.

Russia’s tactics: to overload Ukraine’s air defense

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have received many advanced medium- and long-range air defense systems from Western allies. Thanks to these supplies, Ukraine’s air defenses manage to shoot down most of the Russian drones and missiles. However, Russian air attacks continue to plague Ukraine nearly three years into Russia’s all-out war.

Russian troops employ the tactics of massive airstrikes, combining their attacks with dozens of war drones and missiles of various types. In addition, Putin’s troops attack many regions of the country simultaneously. Thus, the Russians are overloading Ukraine’s air defense system. 

Due to the overwhelming air defense, some missiles and drones are able to reach their targets, resulting in the destruction of infrastructure and residential buildings in Ukrainian cities. We see devastating pictures of the aftermath of these strikes in residential areas every week. Thus, air defense strengthening is needed to repel massive attacks and close the sky over Ukraine to Russian missiles.

Blackouts in Ukraine after Russia’s missile and drone attacks

Due to the Russian attacks in November, Ukraine experiences emergency blackouts across the country. The authorities announced outage schedules, a measure triggered by Russian missile and drone attacks on energy infrastructure.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the main target of the complex, combined attack by all these numerous cruise, ballistic, and aerial ballistic missiles and attack drones of the Russian Federation, was Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Russia’s goal is to leave people without electricity and heating in winter time.