US to deliver Patriot air defense system to Ukraine

The system is part of US$1,85 billion in aid presented in parallel with the visit of the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, to Washington. This is your first trip out of the country since the invasion of Russia in February this year.

The announcement is a significant victory for Kiev, which has repeatedly pressured the American government in this regard. It is also a strong sign of support from United States à Ucrania to help reinforce the country's defenses.

“Today’s assistance includes, for the first time, the Patriot Air Defense System, capable of shooting down cruise missiles, curto range and aircraft at a significantly higher ceiling than previously provided air defense systems,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

The air defenses of Ucrania They played a key role in protecting the country against Russian attacks, as well as preventing Moscow's forces from gaining control of the skies.

Ukraine says it shot down 13 Russian army drones

This Wednesday (14), President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukrainian air defense shot down 13 Iranian-made drones used to attack the capital Kiev.

As the Russia faced increasing setbacks on the ground, began systematically attacking critical infrastructure in Ucrania, causing electricity, water and heating cuts for millions of people.

What is Patriot?

Manufactured by Raytheon, the MIM-104 Patriot is a surface-to-air missile system (SAM) initially developed to intercept high-flying aircraft.

It was modified in the 1980s to focus on the new threat of tactical ballistic missiles and showed its effectiveness against the Russian-made Scuds used by Saddam Hussein's Iraq in the first Gulf War, the first use of that system in combat.

(With AFP)

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