As Russian attacks on Ukraine increase in intensity, President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to do everything he can to strengthen Ukrainian air defenses. The president is therefore giving his officials a week to tie up the loose ends surrounding the purchase of additional American Patriot air defense systems. “If not, there will be consequences,” he threatens.
Journalist at HLN
Source: The Kyiv Post
Zelensky on Tuesday called the United States’ assistance in the supply of missiles for the Patriot air defense systems “absolutely necessary.” He did this after a new series of night attacks by Russia.
According to the president, the Patriot PAC-3 missiles are “an essential protective asset” to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses. He previously stated that they are the only missiles that can shoot down Russian ballistic missiles.
“Pick up”
In a message on Telegram, Zelensky said on Wednesday that his officials had held a meeting on the purchase of the anti-aircraft systems and associated missiles. However, the president complains that the “implementation of the deal on financial, legal and technical levels” is taking far too long.
“The mandate is absolutely clear: this contract must be accelerated. This is the personal responsibility of the officials involved,” Zelensky wrote. The president adds that Kiev will use part of the European aid package of 90 billion euros to invest in new air defenses.
Earlier this week, Ukraine was again hit by heavy Russian airstrikes, as the images below show
Zelensky insists he is giving his officials a “definitive deadline of one week” to complete the deal. If that fails, “major personnel measures” will follow, he threatens.
Air raids
Zelensky’s plain language shows the urgency of the issue. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky warned earlier this week that Kiev is facing an acute shortage of modern air defense systems and interceptor missiles. Russia continues to significantly increase the number of air strikes.
