Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasized Ukraine's urgent need for more Patriot and similar air defense systems amid the increasing intensity of Russian ballistic missile attacks, saying that strengthening air defense will save thousands of lives, save significant resources for Ukrainian partners, cover our troops and allow them to turn the tide of the war in favor of Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry said, according to UNN.
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The Foreign Minister noted that Russia has intensified its aerial terror against Ukraine and launched 190 missiles of various types, 140 Shahed drones and 700 guided bombs against Ukraine in the week of March 18-24 alone.
"A feature of the current Russian attacks is the intensive use of ballistic missiles, which can reach targets at extremely high speeds, leaving little time for people to take cover and causing significant destruction," Kuleba emphasized.
The minister noted that a number of countries have Patriot systems. According to him, "these systems can and should be transferred to Ukraine as soon as possible and called on partners to find the appropriate political will."
Ukraine is currently the only country in the world that is subjected to ballistic missile attacks almost daily. "Patriot should be deployed here in Ukraine now to protect real human lives, not to remain in places where the missile threat is zero
Kuleba named three critical results that will be achieved by strengthening Ukraine's air defense:
"First of all, a powerful Ukrainian air defense will save thousands of lives, which is the main goal in itself. "Patriot and other similar systems are defensive by definition. They are designed to protect lives, not take them.
Second, a strong Ukrainian air defense will save a significant amount of resources for Ukraine's partners. Each territory covered by Patriot means less destruction of critical infrastructure and less money for reconstruction; each city reliably protected by Patriot means thousands of Ukrainians returning from abroad, strengthening the Ukrainian economy and reducing its dependence on foreign financial assistance.
Thirdly, a strong Ukrainian air defense will cover our troops and allow them to turn the tide of the war in Ukraine's favor. Russia's main advantage on the battlefield now is the widespread use of guided aerial bombs. These bombs, which weigh an average of 500 to 1,500 kilograms, allow the Russian occupiers to destroy the targets of their strikes and advance through the ruins. The only way to counter this barbaric tactic is to shoot down the planes that drop these bombs, which requires a sufficient number of modern air defense systems at the front. Strong air defense on the front line would allow our troops not only not to lose ground, but also to force the Russians to retreat," the minister emphasized.
Кулеба звернувся до західних союзників: "Дайте нам кляті Patriot"26.03.24, 11:32