Ukrainian soldiers have arrived in Germany for training on the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system. The group had already landed on Tuesday and should start training this Thursday, the German Press Agency was told by security circles in Berlin. Altogether it is a group of about 70 Ukrainians.
In consultation with the United States, the federal government wants Ukraine to have an entire Patriot system to ward off Russian attacks with drones, rockets or planes. These typically include a fire control center, radar, power generator, and six or more of the truck-mounted launchers.
Meanwhile, the Patriot units that had been relocated to Poland reported “initial operational readiness,” as the Operations Command announced on Wednesday. The Bundeswehr wants to support the defense of Polish airspace with three anti-aircraft missile squadrons.
Bundeswehr soldiers have been on site in Poland since January 16 to work with Polish units to ensure that the components of the weapon system are installed. The aim is to protect NATO airspace and thus also Polish territory, the infrastructure and the population. The assignment is initially limited to six months. Poland’s neighbor Ukraine has been at war with Russia since the Russian attack in February 2022.
After a missile hit Polish territory in November last year, then Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht (SPD) and her Polish colleague Mariusz Blaszczak agreed that German Patriot missile defense systems would be relocated to Poland. Two Polish citizens died in the missed shot.
