The Latvian government is ready to provide Ukraine with a short-range air defense system, according to Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds.
According to him, some countries have Patriot systems, and some countries do not.
Minister says it's not just about Patriot systems. They are, of course, very important, but Ukraine needs a wide range of different air defense systems, according to Spruds.
He emphasizes that Latvia is ready to contribute to Ukraine's air defense.
Spruds notes that Ukraine needs a multi-level approach, indicating that it would naturally involve short-range air defense.
Air defense for Ukraine
In recent weeks, Russia has significantly intensified its air attacks on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. The Russian troops are using ballistic missiles, which can be intercepted by only two air defense systems in the world: the American Patriot and the Franco-Italian SAMP/T.
Despite the presence of some air defense systems in Ukraine's arsenal, their number does not match the scale of the threat.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that at least 25 Patriot systems are needed to reliably protect the country's airspace.
The lack of effective air defense systems endangers civilian lives and critical infrastructure in Ukraine.
At the same time, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Ukraine could receive six more Patriot systems from partners.
