Second Patriot division already on combat duty in Ukraine

28 April, 2023 Patriot SAM system of the Ukrainian military. Ukraine. April 2023.

Frame from the video of the Armed Forces of Ukraine The second Patriot division, transferred to Ukraine by the Allies, is already on combat duty. Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, announced this.

"They say, the General Staff forbade taking selfies against the backdrop of equipment! Sorry, I couldn't resist! The second division of the Patriot Air defense system is already in operation!

We are strengthening air defense! We are bringing victory closer!" Oleshchuk said. Mykola Oleschuk also showcased the AN/MPQ-53 radar system, which is part of the Patriot system.

The first division of the SAM system has been on combat duty in Ukraine since April this year.

Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force against the background of the AN/MPQ-53 radar. April 2023. Ukraine.

Photo credits: Mykola Oleschuk

Patriot's work is aimed at shooting down Kh-22 cruise missiles and ballistic targets. Ukrainian soldiers had mastered the Patriot air defense system as fast as they could to successfully perform the job. The advantage of the launcher is that it has the ability to use different types of missiles to shoot down various enemy targets.

The air defense systems and their components arrived in Ukraine from the United States, Germany and the Netherlands. According to Pentagon officials, Patriot systems will strengthen Ukraine's air defense, as they will allow shooting down, in particular, enemy's ballistic missiles and aircraft aimed at both troops and civilian targets.

Patriot SAM system of the Ukrainian military. Ukraine. April 2023.

Frame from the video of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

As previously reported, in December 2022, President Biden announced the allocation of £1.85 billion in defense aid to Ukraine, which, in particular, included the Patriot systems and ammunition for them. Germany also promised to provide the Patriot system. On January 17, 2023, it became known that the Netherlands was considering the possibility of providing Ukraine with Patriot air defense systems.

In addition, on January 17, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov stated that Ukrainian officers would be trained to operate the Patriot in 10 weeks instead of the standard course lasting 10 months.