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Ukrainian general states country confused by Trump’s Patriot allegation
(MENAFN)
Ukraine’s military intelligence says it is uncertain what exactly U.S. President Donald Trump meant when he announced that Kiev would receive “17 Patriots” from NATO allies. Major General Vadim Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR), made the remarks following Trump’s statement during his meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Monday.
Ukraine’s military intelligence says it is uncertain what exactly U.S. President Donald Trump meant when he announced that Kiev would receive “17 Patriots” from NATO allies. Major General Vadim Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR), made the remarks following Trump’s statement during his meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Monday.
Trump had claimed that a European NATO member would supply the American-made Patriot air defense systems but did not clarify whether he was referring to full batteries or individual launchers. On Tuesday, he further stated that the Patriots “are already being shipped” from Germany, which would later replace them.
Skibitsky told The Guardian on Tuesday that Ukraine welcomed Trump’s remarks and remained grateful for U.S. military support. However, he admitted there was still confusion over what exactly Ukraine would receive. “We do not know exactly,” he said.
He noted that receiving 17 full batteries would be an “enormous” amount, whereas receiving 17 launchers seemed more realistic. “The U.S. administration and the Pentagon will provide more details,” Skibitsky added.
A typical Patriot battery includes six to eight launchers, a radar system, a control station, and a power supply unit — all mounted on trucks or trailers.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius recently told The Financial Times that Ukraine currently has only six Patriot batteries left, which he warned is “too few.”
Russia has stepped up its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, claiming they only target military infrastructure. Moscow says these strikes are retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory, which often hit civilian areas and vital infrastructure.
Russian officials continue to argue that no amount of Western weapons will change the outcome of the conflict and claim such aid only prolongs the war and raises the risk of direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.
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