Ukraine to Receive More Patriot Systems to Bolster Air Defense

Source: Newsweek

Published Apr 18, 2024 at 8:43 PM EDT | Updated Apr 18, 2024 at 9:12 PM EDT


German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday said European Union (EU) leaders are planning to provide Ukraine with seven additional Patriot air-defense systems, according to Bloomberg.

Scholz's comments come as Russia continues to bombard Ukraine with missile and drone strikes, many of which striking residential areas and energy infrastructure.

The U.S.-made Patriot is considered among the most effective air-defense systems in the world and has been credited with intercepting Russia's supposedly unstoppable hypersonic missiles. Due to the recent escalation of Russian airstrikes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Kyiv's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba have renewed their public requests for more Patriots from foreign allies.

Scholz called on Western nations to expedite the process in getting the key weapons to Ukraine. "I hope that everyone will complete their opinion-forming process as quickly as possible because time is also of the essence," the German leader said, per Bloomberg.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-receive-more-patriot-systems-bolster-air-defense-1892031