Deputy Mayor of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol Sergey Zakharov said that the city administration intends to purchase the Israeli missile defense system "Iron Dome", reports the portal Focus.ua June 10.
The decision of the authorities is connected with the launch of the airport. Currently, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the international community consider flights to Mariupol unsafe, since the city is only 40 km from the demarcation line, while the permissible distance is considered 160 km.
Zakharov is sure that the installation of the "Iron Dome" will solve this problem. He recalled that Israel has successfully used the system to ensure flight safety.
"Flights are allowed there, despite the fact that the airport is located 8 km from the buffer zone. For security, use the tactical protective system "Iron Dome". We can adopt this practice, " the deputy mayor said.
According to him, the innovation will cost the city €50 million. Zakharov also noted that the authorities of Mariupol have already contacted the manufacturer and are discussing the installation of equipment, and a delegation from Israel is scheduled to arrive at the end of June to resolve this issue.
Earlier, on May 18, Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Taran called the Iron Dome one of the best examples of missile defense. He noted that the country is considering the possibility of acquiring a similar system.
The Israeli tactical missile defense system "Iron Dome", designed to protect against unguided tactical missiles with a range of 4 km to 70 km, is able to protect an area of 150 square kilometers.
