Medvedev said
If NATO members supply Ukraine with the American Patriot air defense systems, they would immediately become targets for Russian strikes, according to Dmitry Medvedev, the former president of Russia and deputy chairman of the Security Council. Medvedev warned that if, as Stoltenberg suggested, Kyiv is equipped with Patriot systems and NATO personnel, they will turn into legitimate targets for Moscow’s forces. He expressed hope that the alliance members would recognize this reality, describing them as the Atlantic bloc that may not fully grasp the implications of their actions.
Medvedev spoke as the alliance contemplates the possible transfer of Patriot complexes to Ukraine and the ongoing efforts to keep systems already delivered operational. He emphasized the seriousness of the consequences for any deployment that would place alliance personnel in harm’s way, underscoring the gravity of such a decision.
Earlier, on 29 November, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg indicated that after the first day of discussions among foreign ministers, there was consideration of providing Patriot systems to Kyiv. He noted that the talks were also focused on ensuring existing systems remain functional and ready for use, should additional support be agreed upon.
What does Kyiv require?
Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics later stated that Kyiv should be permitted to strike missile bases that target Ukraine’s critical infrastructure even if such actions risk widening the conflict with Russia. This stance aligns with Kyiv’s push for greater support from Western partners to deter and disrupt Russian attacks.
For months, Kyiv has pressed its Western allies for more capable missile defenses, including Patriot air defense systems. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba announced plans to raise the request at the upcoming NATO summit for both enhanced air and missile defense capabilities and spare parts to repair damaged energy facilities. He described Patriot systems and conversion equipment as key messages to deliver at leadership meetings in Bucharest and Lodz, stressing the need for Ukraine to protect its population from further missile strikes and to restore energy capacity.
Following comments from Stoltenberg that the alliance could increase arms deliveries after the Bucharest summit, there was renewed emphasis on supplying accessible spare parts and ammunition for air defense systems, as well as training for their operation. The debate intensified in the wake of major Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, which caused widespread outages across the country. There were also cross-border incidents, including a Ukrainian S-300 missile incident in Poland, which sparked additional political discussions about Patriot deployments within NATO territory.
In this context, Poland’s leadership weighed in on the debate, with some officials suggesting that Patriot systems should be sent to Ukraine rather than kept on Polish soil. German authorities, however, indicated a preference for maintaining Patriot missiles within NATO territory, highlighting the sensitive balance between military support and regional security concerns.
what is patriot
The Patriot system is a long-standing American air defense platform used by the United States and several NATO members since the early 1980s. It is designed to defend against medium to high-altitude aerial threats. The system features a mobile launcher that can rotate missiles within its container, providing flexible coverage across different angles. Throughout Europe and North America, different chassis brands support Patriot launchers, reflecting regional logistics and procurement practices.
Current deployments predominantly involve the latest PAC-3 variant, capable of engaging ballistic targets, including missiles, at significant altitudes. Some reports indicate successful interception at heights around 20 kilometers, although performance can vary with target speed and trajectory. The Patriot is an expensive, high-maintenance system, with a battery of four launchers often valued near one billion dollars, and individual missile launches commonly priced in the millions.