US, Netherlands, Germany have delivered Patriot systems to Ukraine
The United States, the Netherlands, and Germany delivered Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine.
Ukraine's First Deputy Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Oleksandr Pavliuk, reported this on the Telegram messaging app.
"Such anti-aircraft systems will allow us to protect Ukraine against Russian cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles," the deputy minister said.
Pavliuk thanked the partners for significantly strengthening Ukraine's air defense.
Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov announced to Western partners Ukraine's need for the Patriot air defense system in August 2021. After the start of Russia's invasion and massive missile strikes all over the territory of Ukraine that spanned from October 2022 and have continued to this day, Ukraine pled for strong air defense to protect the civilian population and energy facilities from Russian missile and drone attacks.
In December 2022, President Joe Biden pledged one of its Patriot systems, followed by Germany and the Netherlands in January 2023.
On April 18, the German government officially announced that Berlin had already delivered the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine along with the missiles.
Interestingly, the Air Force previously reported that Ukraine would receive Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems after Easter.
On April 19, the Air Force didn't confirm the Patriot air defense system delivery in Ukraine, stating they were waiting for it.
Later, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov confirmed that Ukrainian defenders had already received the Patriot anti-aircraft missile complexes.
