Telegraph: US-made Patriot system already in Ukraine via Germany deal

Patriot air-defence systems and interceptors have arrived in Ukraine at the end of last week, following a decision by US President Donald Trump to resume defence aid, The Telegraph writes

According to the paper, Trump ordered the release of the weapons shortly after a July 4 phone call with his Ukraine envoy, Gen Keith Kellogg, who relayed that a Russian missile strike had damaged Poland’s consulate in Kyiv. The attack came amid the largest drone and missile barrage against the Ukrainian capital at the time since the war began, Caliber.Az reports.

Following the call, Trump instructed the Pentagon to resume shipments of Pac-3 interceptors, reversing a freeze on US military assistance. Within days, 12 of the 40 previously ordered interceptors were dispatched from Poland.

Germany joined the effort by facilitating the delivery of a Patriot system and funding two more. Norway pledged to finance a third, while additional systems are expected from a Swiss order redirected to support Ukraine.

On July 13, Trump announced a $10 billion aid package and the prospect of sanctions on Russia and countries importing its fossil fuels. By the end of that week, the first US-made Patriot systems had already been deployed to Ukraine.

By Sabina Mammadli