Yuri Kobzar19:45, 13.09.24

At the same time, the president complains about the shortage of anti-aircraft missiles for these systems.

Ukraine likely has more Patriot air defense systems than it has publicly reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky hinted at while speaking at the annual Yalta European Strategy international forum .

“You said that we have four “Patriots”. I can’t say how many. But I would say this: they are not enough, but, thank God, the reality is more positive than the official information,” the president said, barely holding back a smile.

In this context, he expressed gratitude to “our teams and our partners.”

The president also added that it is not only the number of air defense systems that is important, but also the ability for them to perform their functions. However, there is a constant shortage of anti-aircraft missiles for them, the head of state says.

“This is an example of how our air defense forces work: it would be better to have two missiles on target, but they would rather have one. Because they simply don’t have enough of these missiles,” Zelensky said.

Deliveries of Patriot systems to Ukraine: latest news

As UNIAN wrote, the preliminary confirmed delivery of the Patriot air defense system took place approximately in July of this year. Following persistent requests from Ukraine, Germany transferred one of its systems .

Around the same time, the Netherlands, together with another country, also promised to transfer one such complex to Ukraine . Whether it was actually delivered at the current moment is unclear.

Last week, Romania officially confirmed the decision to transfer the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine free of charge. The corresponding decree, after approval in parliament, was published on the website of the country’s president, Klaus Iohannis. However, it is still unknown when the actual transfer of this complex will take place.

(C)UNIAN 2024