Germany will provide Ukraine with another Patriot air defense system

Germany will provide Ukraine with another Patriot air defense system to help the country's military fend off increased Russian airstrikes. This was announced by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Saturday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already thanked Berlin and appealed to the leaders of allied countries to take a similar step.

"The Russian terror against Ukrainian cities and the country's infrastructure is causing unspeakable suffering. It threatens energy supplies to the population and destroys industrial facilities important for the operational readiness of the Ukrainian armed forces. Therefore, we are supporting Ukraine with another Patriot set," said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Saturday on the X portal.

"In supporting Ukraine, we are going as far as possible, taking into account our own operational readiness. Before making this decision, I have already committed to the fastest possible purchase of a new system and we are working hard on a replacement," he added.

The information about the planned delivery of the Patriot system to Ukraine was also confirmed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. "President Zelenskyy informed me by phone today about the massive Russian air raids on civilian energy infrastructure. We stand unwaveringly on the side of Ukraine," he stressed on the X portal.

Zelenskyy on German aid: This is a true sign of support The Ukrainian presidential office said that Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz "for the supply of additional Patriot, IRIS-T and Skynex systems, rockets, and ammunition for existing anti-aircraft missile systems." - Thank you, Olaf, for your leadership! This is a true sign of support for Ukraine at a critical time for us. I urge all other leaders of partner states to follow this example," Zelenskyy stressed.

The Ukrainian energy ministry warned this week that the Russians are trying to cause a blackout in Ukraine, and massive air strikes on energy infrastructure could lead to large-scale power outages. The Russians have already carried out three massive shelling of Ukrainian energy infrastructure this year using missiles and drones. Russian attacks have damaged or completely destroyed over 80 percent of Ukrainian thermal power plants.

War in Ukraine. Difficult situation in the east of the country

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine General Oleksandr Syrsky said on Saturday that the situation on the eastern front has deteriorated significantly in recent days. In his opinion, this is primarily due to the significant intensification of the Russian offensive after the presidential elections in this country.

Syrsky wrote on Telegram that the enemy is attacking Ukrainian positions in the Lyman and Bakhmut areas with assault groups supported by armored vehicles. The attacks are favored by warm and dry weather, which has made most open areas of terrain accessible to tanks. "Only technical superiority over the enemy in advanced technological weapons will give us a chance to defeat him and create conditions for taking over the strategic initiative," the general stressed.

The Ukrainian authorities admit that the situation around the town of Chasiv Yar "is difficult and tense," and the area "is under constant shelling." Chasiv Yar is located 20 kilometers west of Bakhmut, which was razed to the ground by months of artillery fire before being captured by Moscow in May last year. Many experts emphasize that the town, located on the hills, is strategically important, as its capture would open the way for the Russians to occupy the last major agglomeration in the Donetsk region, with cities such as Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.