Former US military intelligence officer Scott Ritter spoke in an interview with journalist Garland Nixon on a YouTube channel, asserting that Russia had destroyed the radar components of Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems in Ukraine.
According to Ritter, this damage would enable the Russian forces to target and shut down the facilities themselves. He also claimed that Patriot systems do not operate effectively in Ukraine. After basic training, Ukrainian soldiers allegedly activate the air defense system and set it to automatic mode, allowing the Patriot setup to respond via a radar-enabled trigger managed by seasoned operators.
Ritter further stated that Ukrainian Patriot systems are not functional in their current state. He suggested that the only way to restore operation is to place control in the hands of a highly experienced team that understands the full complexity of handling the anti-aircraft defense system.
Earlier, on the Rada TV channel, retired Major General of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Serhiy Krivonos, shared his view that the F-16 fighters Ukraine seeks would not decisively alter the course of the conflict.
Meanwhile, in the United States, there have been discussions about the potential impact of American assistance on the conflict, with some voices describing it as a major strategic factor.