The Patriot air defense system will be able to shoot down not only ballistic missiles, but also Russian aircraft at a distance of up to 150 kilometers.
This was stated by the speaker of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Yuriy Ignat on the air of the telethon on March 11.
“Patriot is a long-range complex, and Ukraine does not have such long-range anti-aircraft systems,” Ignat said.
According to him, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have the Buk-M1 complex, which has a range of up to 40 kilometers. The S-300 operates at ranges up to 70 km. The same range as the Patriot has SAMP / T, which Ukraine should soon receive from France and Italy.
According to Ignat, the Russian Federation uses aviation in the frontline zones in the north and south of Ukraine. From it strikes with missiles and loitering guided aerial bombs. Aviation flies up to a distance of 30-40, 50-60 kilometers to the borders of Ukraine or the front line and drops such bombs.
“The presence of Patriot or SAMP/T systems will help shoot down Russian aircraft near the borders of Ukraine,” Yuriy Ignat said.
Recall that on March 9, the Russians for the first time carried out a massive missile attack using “Daggers”.