Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to buy 50 more Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems from Western countries. He stated this in an interview with Wall Street Magazine.
According to Zelensky, this special weapon system can protect Ukraine from Russian missiles. He noted that in order to “stop” the attacks, Ukraine needs 50 such air defense systems. “Any uncontrolled counterattack in the sky is very dangerous. “Imagine a soldier who realizes he has no roof,” said Zelensky.
Zelensky also acknowledged that Kiev wants to buy more weapons for the counterattack. But the Ukrainian leader noted that Kiev could not wait for him “for months”.
Zelenskiy also told the WSJ that his country ready counts on counterattack and success. Moreover, the President of Ukraine does not ignore the fact that the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine “could proceed completely differently and take some time.”
At a meeting at the headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief, Zelensky said that the Ukrainian army had the task of hitting 100% of Russian missiles, but now it is impossible to achieve this – there are not enough American Patriot systems. According to Zelensky, Ukraine fail As it was in the delivery queue, it received the required number of US-made Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems.
On May 19, the Patriot air defense missile system lost 32 missiles while trying to shoot down the Russian hypersonic Kinzhal.
One MIM-104 Patriot air defense missile cost about $4 million. Kiev bought a battery worth $1.1 billion: $400 million for the systems themselves and $690 million for the missiles.