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Germany 'ready to provide missiles for Patriots,' Zelensky says
The Kyiv Independent • • world
Key Points:
- Germany has expressed readiness to provide additional Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine, aiming to enhance the country's air defense capabilities ahead of winter.
- German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced increased supplies of PAC-2 interceptor missiles, AIM-9 air-to-air missiles, and additional IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine during the Ramstein Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting.
- Ukraine's Defense Minister Yevheniy Khmara emphasized the urgent need for more Patriot interceptors, requesting partners to supply missiles from existing stocks due to long manufacturing lead times.
- Ukraine relies heavily on the U.S.-made Patriot system to defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks, but its stockpiles have been depleted partly because of diversions to the Persian Gulf amid regional conflicts.
- The announcement follows a recent Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv, which resulted in five deaths and 25 injuries, underscoring the critical need for strengthened air defenses.
