Ukraine receives promised Patriot air defense systems from Germany, Zelensky says

Germany has delivered Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine in fulfillment of prior agreements, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Nov. 2.

"We have strengthened the 'Patriot' component of our Ukrainian air defense," the president wrote on social media.

"I thank Germany and personally Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz for this joint step to protect human lives from Russian terror. For some time, we have been preparing this reinforcement of our air defense, and now the agreements reached have been implemented."

The announcement comes just over a month after German Defense Minister Boris Pistoruis said that Berlin would provide Ukraine with two Patriot systems by the end of 2025.

Russian aerial attacks against Ukraine have escalated in scope and intensity since the spring of 2025.  The Kremlin's current campaign against energy infrastructure ahead of winter has raised the stakes even further, causing frequent large-scale blackouts.

"Russian air strikes are (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's main stake in this war — through terror he tries to compensate for his inability to achieve his insane goals on the ground," Zelensky said.

"Therefore, every strengthening of our air defense literally brings us closer to the end of the war that we are all waiting for."

A U.S.-made Patriot air defense system — also called a battery — consists of 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 its configuration, a typical battery includes between four and eight launchers, capable of firing a range of missiles designed to intercept ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as aircraft.

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

Germany has previously supplied Ukraine with three Patriot systems. The additional batteries have been provided under an agreement with the U.S. manufacturer to quickly replenish Germany's stocks.

The deal comes after U.S. President Donald Trump in July announced the creation of the PURL (Priority Ukraine Requirements List) program, a NATO- and EU-backed initiative under which alliance members will purchase U.S.-made weapons systems for Ukraine.

Zelensky said that there would be "further results" regarding Ukraine's air defenses and that additional deals were underway.

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The Kyiv IndependentYuliia Taradiuk