Germany has delivered the promised Patriot anti-missile system to Ukraine, Zelenskiy announces: “Brings us closer to the end of the war”

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced on Sunday the delivery of a Patriot anti-missile system by Germany, EFE informs, according to Agerpres.

“We have strengthened the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense. I personally thank Germany and Chancellor Friedrich Merz for this joint step in protecting human lives from Russian terror,” the Kiev leader wrote on X.

Ukraine's president has said the airstrikes are Russian leader Vladimir Putin's “main strategy” in the war, aimed at sowing terror among the population and thus compensating for his inability to achieve his territorial goals.

“Therefore, every strengthening of our air defenses literally brings us closer to the end of the war, which we are all waiting for. The less Russia wins, the greater its motivation to end the war,” he argued.

Zelenskiy emphasized that Ukraine's air defense is inseparable from the protection of its allies and also contributes to their protection, and explained that negotiations are underway to obtain more systems, both at the level of governments and with manufacturers.

Lately, the lack of air defenses has resulted in more Russian missiles and drones hitting targets than usual, causing damage to energy and rail infrastructure, as well as civilian casualties.

This week alone, Russia launched 1,500 attack drones, 1,170 guided bombs and more than 70 missiles of various types against Ukrainian territory, according to a tally provided by President Zelenskiy on Sunday.

The announcement comes just over a month after German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Berlin would supply Ukraine with two Patriot systems by the end of 2025, The Kyiv Independent notes.

A US-made Patriot air defense system, also called a “battery”, includes radar units for target detection and tracking, a fire control center, missile launchers and support equipment such as power supplies and communications systems.

Depending on the configuration, a typical battery includes between four and eight launchers, capable of firing various types of missiles designed to intercept ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as aircraft.

Advanced air defense systems like the Patriot remain limited globally, with some components taking years to produce.

Germany previously supplied Ukraine with three Patriot systems. The extra batteries were delivered under an agreement with the American manufacturer, which provides for rapid replenishment of Germany's stocks.

The agreement comes after US President Donald Trump announced, in July, the launch of the PURL (Priority Ukraine Requirements List) program, an initiative supported by NATO and the European Union, through which the allied states will purchase US weapons destined for Ukraine.

Zelenskiy added that “further results” would follow regarding Ukraine's air defense and that other agreements were in the works.