Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius have been to see Ukrainian troops being trained in the use of the Patriot air defense system.
The two visited a military training area in northern Germany on Tuesday afternoon. The exact location has not been revealed for security reasons.
Zelensky arrived on Tuesday from Berlin, where he took part in an international reconstruction conference for his country and then delivered a speech in the Bundestag.
He emphasized that at least seven more Patriot systems are needed to protect Ukrainian cities and metropolitan areas. “Air defense is the answer to everything,” he said, referring to Russian attacks with glide bombs, cruise missiles and drones.
Germany has so far supplied Ukraine with two Patriot systems and associated missiles. A third unit, on which Ukrainian soldiers are currently being trained, has been promised to Ukraine and will be delivered soon.
According to the Bundeswehr, nine systems will remain in Germany. Eight new systems are currently being ordered.
The Patriot air defense missile system can be used to combat enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. The defense missiles can hit targets at a distance of about 100 kilometers to an altitude of up to 30 kilometers.
