Patriot Games: Why Zelensky’s Lobbying for US Air Defenses Won’t Stop Ukraine From Losing
Sputnik International
New US arms aid has had little impact on conditions in the Ukrainian battlespace, with Russian forces cracking open heavily fortified Ukrainian defenses in the Donbass, and pushing into Kharkov region. President Zelensky requests more Patriot batteries from the US, but a Swedish air defense expert claims they won’t make a difference.
Ukrainian President Zelensky emphasizes the need for Patriot missiles, warning that without them, Kharkov could fall to Russia. However, these defense systems may not be as effective against Russian attacks as hoped, with components being regularly destroyed. Despite Zelensky’s plea, the decision to send more Patriots is complex due to their high cost and current demand.
To have a significant impact, Ukraine would require multiple Patriot systems quickly, along with a constant flow of replacements. Without these resources, the outlook for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict remains challenging.