Romania has delivered a Patriot missile-defense system to Ukraine, as confirmed by both countries on 3 October, according to RFE/RL’s Ukrainian and Romanian services.
The transfer follows the Romanian government’s passage of a bill last month granting Ukraine the right to free use of the system.
The Romanian Defense Ministry confirmed to RFE/RL that the Patriot had been delivered. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the support, stating on X,
“I thank every country that helps us with air defense. A special thanks to Romania for the ‘Patriot’ systems. Together, we can achieve even greater efficiency – we can put an end to Russian terror by jointly taking down ‘Shaheds’ and missiles.”
Constantin Spinu, a spokesman for Romania’s Defense Ministry, told RFE/RL,
“We confirm that the Patriot system has arrived in Ukraine.”
This summer, President Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs 25 Patriot systems to protect the skies and at least 7 to secure key urban areas. Patriot is Ukraine’s only system capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.
In late September, Russia’s drone entered Romania’s airspace. Romania previously reported several incidents of Russian explosive drones crashing in districts near the Ukrainian border.
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