KYIV, July 8 ------ President Volodymyr Zelensky said he wanted to double Ukraine's air defense capacity over the summer after receiving the country's third German-supplied Patriot system in response to pleas for equipment to guard against Russian air strikes. Moscow renewed its aerial assaults on Ukraine's national power grid in the spring, causing sweeping blackouts. Zelensky has said his country needs at least seven additional Patriot systems to protect itself. "I set a task for our team to double our defense capabilities this summer, primarily Patriot and others," Zelensky told regional leaders, referring also to U.S. Hawk and German Iris systems. "And now we are starting to see results."
In his comments, posted on his Telegram channel, Zelensky said Ukraine had also received on Friday "additional support," from the United States, but gave no details. Earlier, in his nightly video address, the president expressed gratitude to Germany for providing the third Patriot system.
German Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Jaeger added on X that the newly supplied system will further protect civilians and critical infrastructure. "The Ukrainian crew has successfully completed appropriate training in Germany," he said. Kyiv has indicated it hopes for progress on air defense supplies at a NATO summit in Washington next week. A senior U.S. State Department official has said Kyiv is expected to get "good news" at the summit.
Source: reuters.com
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