Third German Patriot air defence system arrives in Ukraine
Ukraine has received its third German Patriot air defence system, president Volodymyr Zelensky announced in a video message on Sunday evening. "Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done and the protection is far from being fully guaranteed, but it is still a victory for Ukraine," Zelensky said.
Ukraine has reiterated its need for more air defence systems in recent weeks. According to Zelensky, the country needs between 6 and 25 Patriot systems to fully defend its airspace. It is unclear how many systems have already been delivered and whether they are all operational.
Western allies are aware of Ukraine's need for more air defence support. The German delivery is part of a pledge made at a NATO summit in Washington earlier this month. US president Joe Biden then announced a "historic" donation of air defence systems by the US, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Italy.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to bomb Ukraine with air strikes. Ukraine's air defences are being tested by so-called kamikaze drones, often launched in waves, or by remote-controlled hover bombs that pilots aim at their target. A Russian attack on Sunday afternoon in the Soemy region killed the driver of a combine harvester.
PHOTO Jens Büttner / POOL / AFP
Related news
