Ukraine may get 10 to 12 Patriot systems – military expert Ryzhenko

Andriy Ryzhenko, 1st Rank Captain of the Ukrainian Navy Reserve, strategic expert at Sonata, told Espreso.

"I think it is quite possible. The need for 10-12 Patriots is justified. The issue depends on the financial resources, because the system’s maintenance is much more expensive than the system itself. If the requests are justified, this number can be obtained," he emphasized.

The expert noted that the Patriot systems have shown their effectiveness in the Kyiv region, shooting down Russian Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, which is a good advertisement for this air defense system. Andriy Ryzhenko added that a clear plan on how to use such equipment is needed, because without it it will be difficult to obtain the systems.

On July 27, The Guardian quoted Mykhailo Podoliak, an adviser to the head of the Presidential Administration, as saying that Ukraine needs 10 to 12 Patriot or similar systems to be able to protect the entire country.