Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Sunday that Ukraine has received an additional shipment of advanced Patriot air defense systems from Germany.

In a statement released on Sunday, Zelensky said that Ukraine has enhanced its air defense capabilities with additional Patriot systems supplied by its Western partners.

“We have strengthened the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” Zelensky said, expressing gratitude to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for his support in the delivery and coordination of the system.

The Ukrainian leader noted that preparations for the system’s deployment had been underway for some time and that recent agreements had now been fully implemented.

“We had been preparing for the strengthening of our air defense for a while, and the agreements reached have now been put into effect,” he said.

Zelensky stressed the strategic importance of air defense in deterring Russian missile and drone strikes, which continue to target civilian infrastructure across the country.

“The less successful Russia is in its air assaults, the stronger its motivation will be to end this war,” he added.

Germany and the United States have been key contributors to Ukraine’s air defense network, providing both equipment and training for Ukrainian forces. The Patriot system is regarded as one of the most advanced surface-to-air missile systems in the world, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, aircraft, and cruise missiles.

Military analysts note that the deployment of new Patriot batteries could significantly enhance Ukraine’s defensive coverage, particularly over strategic regions that have been repeatedly targeted by Russian strikes. (ILKHA)