Ukraine needs 20 additional defense systems to ward off Russian shelling and prevent blackouts – FM Sybiha

Ukraine urgently needs at least 20 additional systems, such as Hawks, NASAMS, or IRIS-T, to avoid a blackout amid Russian shelling.

The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, stated this before the NATO ministerial meeting at the headquarters of the North Atlantic Alliance.

On the eve of the upcoming meeting of foreign ministers from countries in the military alliance, Sybiha announced his plans to discuss the impact of Russia's recent missile attack and the potential for strengthening Ukraine's "air shield" with his Western counterparts. He will also address the need to support Ukraine during the upcoming winter season.

"We have already informed our partners about our urgent needs and are grateful to them for such a prompt response. We are discussing the urgent need for at least 20 additional systems, such as Hawk, NASAMS, or IRIS-T.

This will help us avoid a blackout. We understand that the Russians are trying to deprive us of the opportunity to produce energy," Sybiha emphasized.

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Germany intends to provide Ukraine with more air defense resources that were previously announced by the end of this year. Specifically, Kyiv will receive the sixth IRIS-T air defense system and launchers for Patriot.

In addition, in connection with forecasts that Ukraine will experience a severe winter, the Netherlands provided three launchers for the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system.

Also, the American-made NASAMS air defense system, which the Canadian government helped to purchase, has already been delivered to Ukraine.

The leader of Ukraine announced on September 5 that they expect their international partners to follow through with a comprehensive solution for providing air defense systems and other military support. The leader also thanked Romania for donating the Patriot air defense system.

In July, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine's air defense had been strengthened—the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system had arrived from Germany.