(Dan Tri) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the West for not providing 7 Patriot shields so that Kiev could effectively defend against large-scale Russian attacks.
A Patriot air defense system (Illustration: US Army).
President Zelensky criticized Western partners, saying that if they provided Kiev with more powerful Patriot air defense systems, Ukrainians would not be killed in large-scale Russian missile attacks.
`How can you live and sleep peacefully when you have dozens of Patriot air defense systems and if you provide Kiev with 7 such shields, Ukrainians in Kharkov, Kherson and Odesa will not die
President Zelensky said he did not understand the move from the West.
In addition to criticism, Mr. Zelensky also thanked Western partners for transferring weapons to Ukraine in recent times.
In April last year, Ukraine received its first two Patriot systems from the US and Germany.
Patriot is a multi-purpose long-range air defense missile system, with a range of 70-160km, capable of operating in all weather conditions.
Patriot is capable of intercepting a variety of targets from the air, including fighter aircraft, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.
Mr. Zelensky’s statement came in the context that Russia has recently stepped up large-scale raids on Ukraine.
Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said that in recent days Russia has used most of the weapons in its inventory, from cruise missiles, ballistic missiles to hypersonic missiles.
International analysts believe that the onslaught of Russian missiles is aimed at overwhelming Ukraine’s missile defense system.
This approach has had some success.
New tactics have also been applied.
Ukraine said Russia changed the propeller-driven engine on the UAV to a jet engine, increasing the speed of the drone.
Speaking on national television, spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, Yurii Ihnat, said the jet-powered version of the Shahed drone would operate `like a cruise missile.`
He said they may have a smaller payload but a much faster flight speed, possibly more than 500km/h, making them more difficult to shoot down.
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