Copyright © 2024 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

Time for action: Ukraine calls for more Patriot air defense systems amid Russian offensive on Kharkiv

With Russian threats intensifying, Ukraine’s calls for more Patriot air defense systems gain momentum.
Vovchansk, Kharkiv Oblast, 11 May 2024. Photo: Suspilne Kharkiv
Time for action: Ukraine calls for more Patriot air defense systems amid Russian offensive on Kharkiv

Ukraine’s ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, told Face the Nation on CBS that now is the time to make several bold decisions and provide Ukraine with more Patriot missile systems to strengthen the country’s air defense.

In recent months, Russian ballistic missile strikes have caused significant damage to half of Ukraine’s energy system. According to representatives of Ukrenergo, the country’s electricity transmission operator, Russians are attempting to achieve what they failed to complete in 2022-2023 – plunge Ukraine into darkness.

The company and experts believe that strengthening the country’s air defenses is the best way to protect Ukrainian thermal plants, power lines, and other energy facilities from Russian missiles, especially amid Russia’s renewed offensive in the northeastern and eastern parts of the country.

“We’re grateful to the US for looking for them, allowing them, funding some of them, but we need more, and it’s time to literally take some brave decisions and provide us with more of this so we can see them right away, where we need them,” claimed the ambassador.

However, Ukraine needs “at least two” in Kharkiv and its area. On 10 May, Russia renewed its offensive in the Kharkiv region, which resulted in the evacuation of 9907 civilians.

“But other places need to be protected as well,” said Markarova.

The ambassador also noted that Kyiv wants Ukrainian military drills to be conducted in Ukraine rather than in other countries.

“We would like to see more training being done in Ukraine so that not only we’re training our troops, but we are also becoming institutionally more strong, building there our army of the future, which will be protecting not just Ukraine, but all of us from Russia. So- yes, in- in training, it’s going to be one of the key discussions with the allies,” the official said.

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that several additional Patriot air defense systems are needed to protect Kharkiv from Russian attacks.

Zelenskyy urged the world to help Kharkiv: two Patriot systems will fundamentally change the situation

Read more: 

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!

    Related Posts