Escalation of the Situation in Ukraine
Ukraine needs additional Patriot and NASAMS missiles for air defense due to the increased attacks from Russia. This became urgent after the Ukraine-NATO Council meeting on January 12, 2023, when a significant increase in attacks by Russian invaders was recorded.
On January 13, 2023, the enemy carried out a massive attack on Ukraine using:
- 18 ballistic missiles 'Iskander-M',
- seven 'Iskander-K' missiles,
- 293 strike drones of the Shahed type and 'Gerbera'.
The air defense of Ukraine demonstrated high effectiveness, shooting down 247 targets, including two ballistic missiles 'Iskander-M', five cruise missiles 'Iskander-K', and 240 enemy UAVs. Despite these successes, impacts from ballistic and anti-aircraft missiles, as well as 48 strike UAVs at 24 locations, were recorded.
The Need to Strengthen Defense
Serhiy Boyev noted that the Russian Federation has significantly increased the number of missiles and drones for attacks on Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky also emphasized that the issue of strengthening air defense remains crucial for Ukraine. Given the new challenges, the country needs to enhance its military capabilities to ensure security and protect its territory.
“The increase in attacks from Russia highlights the need for strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities, as modern threats require an adequate response from the state.” - Source Unknown
An appeal to allies for additional missiles for air defense systems indicates the seriousness of the situation and Ukraine's commitment to ensuring its territorial integrity amid armed aggression.