(PatriotWise.com) — In addition to the billions of dollars the United States is sending to Ukraine, the eastern European nation is also receiving military equipment amid a short supply. The American Patriot air defense system, while not sent in droves like American money, has been used by Ukraine to intercept a hypersonic missile sent by Russia, according to a report from the defense and national security website 19FortyFive.
Ukrainian Air Force commander, Mykola Oleshchuk, took to Telegram to inform the country’s followers about the situation. At least two Patriot systems have made it into Ukrainian hands. One from Germany and another from the U.S. Without the system, the Kinzal missile would be hard to stop because it reportedly travels 10 times faster than the speed of sound.
“Today, our beautiful Ukrainian sky becomes more secure,” Oleshchuk wrote when Ukraine first received them.
Russian President Vladimir Putin was reportedly angered by this development, feeding into his conviction that the Western world is indirectly participating in the war by providing Ukraine with everything it needs to defend itself. But he seemed largely unconcerned when initially hearing about the Ukrainians using the system.
“They say they may send Patriot there, fine, we will crack the Patriot too,” Putin said, adding that it was old. He also said that continuing to send weapons will draw out the conflict. He touched on the Soviet-era weapons NATO has been supplying to Ukraine and commented that they are coming to an end, along with Ukraine’s military industries.
Putin then remarked that he was ready to engage in peace talks but Ukraine has refused to enter negotiations.
“One way or another, all armed conflicts end with talks,” he added.
Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Inhat agreed with Putin’s assessment of the system and called it “outdated,” before describing Russia’s weapons as the “best in the world.”
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