Ukraine is set to receive three Patriot air defense systems along with several other systems and missiles from Western allies. This announcement came from Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal.
“Today, we have achieved significant results. Italy will provide us with a second SAMP/T system. Romania will offer one Patriot system. Germany will contribute one Patriot system, along with the IRIS-T system and Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. The Netherlands is currently assembling another Patriot system for us,” Shmyhal shared on Ukraine’s Rada TV channel.
Furthermore, the prime minister revealed that the United States will supply Patriot missiles and the NASAMS anti-aircraft missile system. In addition, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, and Norway will send additional Patriot missiles. Sweden has also committed to sending two radar surveillance planes to Ukraine, Shmyhal added.
Kyiv – Moscow
In early June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kyiv had secured agreements with Western nations to receive more air defense systems. However, he did not disclose the exact numbers or any specific details. Ukrainian officials frequently express concerns about the shortage of air defense systems and missiles, consistently asking their Western allies for new supplies.
On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stressed that delivering new weapons to Ukraine will not alter the front-line situation but will simply extend the conflict. Echoing this sentiment, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that any shipments of weapons to Kyiv would be considered a legitimate target by Russia.
Only for Ukraine
Back in June, the United States chose to halt the delivery of Patriot interceptor missiles. According to the U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, this move was driven by the pressing need to supply these missiles to Ukraine.
What does this mean for countries currently relying on Patriot systems? ZeroHedge quoted Kirby noting, “This will impact allies depending on the U.S. for Patriot missiles.” These missiles, which are not in production at the moment, will be redirected to Ukraine. The decision also includes missiles for another system used by Kyiv, the NASAMS.
Kirby mentioned that the missiles are expected to arrive in Ukraine within the next few weeks, certainly before the end of summer. This timeline coincides with the arrival of U.S.-made F-16s capable of carrying AMRAAMs. Kirby assured that Taiwan would not be affected by this decision. Concerns are growing about the U.S.’s missile stockpile, especially given their extensive use in Ukraine and against Houthi drones around the Red Sea. The decision to send more missiles to Ukraine could suggest that the U.S. might be operating with limited reserves.
No-fly zone
Facing a shortage of anti-aircraft systems to counter Russia’s persistent attacks, Ukraine is urging its European allies to implement a no-fly zone in the West by deploying air defense systems in nearby Poland and Romania, according to officials who spoke with AFP. Kyiv aims to establish a secure area in western Ukraine to protect industries, energy infrastructure, and civilians from the extensive destruction caused by recent Russian strikes.
“Why doesn’t NATO deploy Patriot systems near the Polish border?” questioned lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko, referencing the U.S.-manufactured air defense systems. “Russian missiles have already breached Polish and Romanian airspace. This would safeguard the borders of Poland and Romania, creating a safe zone in the West and South of Ukraine,” he added.
This sentiment was echoed by several Ukrainian civilian and military officials who spoke to AFP in Kyiv during a recent trip organized by the French Institute of International Relations [IFRI] and the local think tank New Europe Center.
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