The Polish Ministry of Defence refuted claims attributed to its defence chief, Mariusz Blaszczak, regarding the arrival of the first Patriot air defense batteries in Ukraine. The correction was reported by the Ukrainian news outlet Ukrinform.
The ministry clarified that Blaszczak’s remarks focused on highlighting Poland’s role in coordinating aid, noting that Patriot batteries were part of a broader effort, not a unilateral transfer solely initiated by Poland.
Earlier, a March report by the Spanish daily La Razón quoted Blaszczak as saying that initial deliveries of American air defense systems and German Leopard tanks had already reached Ukraine, with equipment already on Ukrainian soil.
Blaszczak reportedly stressed that, thanks to Poland’s work, Patriot batteries and Leopard tanks had arrived in Ukraine, underlining Poland’s status as a major contributor and logistical hub for aid to Kyiv.
The minister pointed to Warsaw’s role in providing weaponry valued at approximately €2.2 billion to Ukraine, while noting that this figure did not include training costs for Ukrainian troops or the Leopard 2A4 tanks currently in service with the Polish armed forces.
He also argued that continued military support to Ukraine—both through weapons and political channels—should persist. In his view, decisions on supplying combat aircraft to the Ukrainian Armed Forces should emerge from a broader coalition rather than from individual nations alone.
Following the ministry’s denial, Blaszczak indicated that Poland would send ten additional Leopard tanks to Kyiv within the week, four of which were already in Ukrainian service. He described efforts to build a coalition of nations equipped with Leopard 2A4 and Leopard 2A6 variants, coordinating with German defence officials and other partners to ensure a unified approach to armoured support.
Military leaders from other allied nations have weighed in on the matter. General James Hecker, commander of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa, stated that Warsaw’s public positions correspond with tangible steps. Hecker noted that U.S. deliveries included precision-guided munitions with extended range, capable of striking targets beyond the reach of gravity bombs with improved accuracy.
The discussion highlighted a broader strategic effort to enhance Ukraine’s air and ground defense capabilities. The extended-range bombs, part of the exchange of munitions, offer Kyiv greater engagement options against distant or harder-to-reach threats. While quantities remain limited, these weapons are positioned to provide meaningful support as part of a coordinated allied approach.