Ukraine Conflict: Zelensky Demands 25 Patriots! Even Former General Kather is Surprised!

Ukraine Conflict: Zelensky Demands 25 Patriots! Even Former General Kather is Surprised!
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has updated his request for the minimum number of Patriot systems needed to protect the entire country. "To fully secure Ukraine, our military believes we need 25 Patriot systems," he said at a press conference in Kyiv. Zelensky avoided mentioning the number of existing Patriot systems and emphasized that a comprehensive air defense requires systems of various ranges and capabilities. He recalled that during the recent NATO summit in Washington, five additional Patriot batteries or similar systems were promised to Kyiv. A month ago, Zelensky stated at the G7 summit in Italy that his country needed at least seven such systems.
Since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has received at least four Patriot systems, including three from Germany. Media reports indicate that several launchers have been either destroyed or damaged by Russian airstrikes. A complete system, which includes radar, antennas, fire control, command posts, and multiple launchers, costs several hundred million euros. The unit price for a modern anti-aircraft missile is reportedly over three million euros.
Since February 2022, Ukraine has been repelling a Russian invasion with Western support. The Ukrainian air defense has been supplemented by modern systems, primarily from Germany. Nevertheless, Russian missiles and drones regularly penetrate the air defenses. Last Monday, a Russian attack on the capital Kyiv reportedly hit an arms factory near the city center with several missiles. A missile also struck a children's hospital, killing at least 30 people, according to authorities.