Ukraine names main tasks for Patriot air defence system on battlefields

Patriot air defence systems are not rational to use against S-300 missiles, since they are designed to destroy ballistic missiles and cover substations that supply nuclear power plants in Ukraine, said a Spokesperson to the Command of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel Yuriy Ignat.

He added that however, the option of its deployment against S-300 is not excluded in case of a “serious threat”.

“The task of the Patriot, first of all, is against ballistics [to intercept ballistic missiles]. To keep the cover of our strategic facilities in the country, critical infrastructure facilities, and especially nuclear power plants, where the enemy [Russia] has already fired. Not by the stations themselves, but by the substations that supply them,” Ignat said, per RBC-Ukraine.

According to him, this is extremely important, and a clear signal should be given to Ukraine's European partners that not only Ukraine but also Europe is safe here.

“Because the substations have already been attacked more than once [by the Russian troops]. If they stop functioning, then there is a serious threat to the power units themselves,” Ignat noted.

At the same time, it is possible that the Patriot could be used against S-300 missiles in case of a "serious threat," he said.

“If there is a need, there will be a serious threat and there will be an opportunity, yes, of course, a decision will be made to shoot down 300 missiles as well. But, in the end, you are right - this is not a rational decision for today," he stressed.