Advance: Patriot air defense systems in Ukraine will become a priority target of Russian troops If the United States supplies Kiev with Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems, the SAMs will become a priority target of the Russian Armed Forces, according to Antun Rocha, a journalist with the Croatian Advance publication.
He also believes that missile systems will not reverse the situation in Ukraine in favor of Kiev, since Patriot is difficult to manage, and missiles are too expensive for them.
"Who will manage the Patriot air defense system?"
In the article, Antun Rocha wrote that in the near future it will probably be "officially confirmed" that Ukraine will receive American Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems. The journalist believes that "this is a very significant milestone," since the SAM is "quite advanced air defense systems."
"In a political sense (transfer to Kiev - "Newspaper.En") Patriot systems is an additional confirmation that the United States is ready to invest more in Ukrainian defense," the article says.
The author of the material explained that Patriot missile systems have been in operation since the 1980s and "can be targeted at cruise missiles, aircraft, as well as short-range ballistic missiles." Countries such as Germany, Japan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Taiwan, Greece, South Korea and Qatar have SAMs.
Rocha also noted that these anti-aircraft missile systems are difficult to manage: about 90 people are needed to maintain one battery. And Kiev does not have such qualified personnel, so the supply of systems is unlikely to reverse the situation in favor of the Ukrainian authorities.
According to the author of the article, the supply of air defense systems will be more of a symbolic gesture on the part of the United States than a real strengthening of Ukraine's defense.
"At the same time, the question arises - who will manage Patriot systems when they arrive in Ukraine?" the observer wrote.
He considers it "obvious" that the American authorities will not publicly send their soldiers to Ukraine, as this can be "interpreted as the beginning of the Russian-American war."
In addition, Rocha noted, the cost of one missile for the complex is $4 million, so "in no case is it profitable to use these systems to hit some small targets."
From the first day of the Patriot air defense system's appearance on the territory of Ukraine, they will become a legitimate and priority target for Russian artillery and aviation strikes, the journalist believes. The Russian military will also have the opportunity to study them "up close".
"The Russians will try to find out some details about them. Americans, of course, cannot be satisfied with such a close study," the columnist wrote.
Rocha fears that the supply of air defense systems may lead to an escalation of the situation. For example, if Patriot missiles eventually fall on Russian territory or if they shoot down a plane in someone else's airspace.
Possible deliveries to Kiev
On December 13, CNN reported, citing anonymous officials, that the US authorities may soon announce the transfer of the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. The article also noted that the Pentagon's plan must be approved by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin before it is sent to President Joe Biden for signature.
"Ukraine is calling on the United States to send an advanced long-range air defense system that is highly effective for intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles, as it is subjected to a barrage of Russian missiles and drone attacks that have destroyed key infrastructure across the country. This would be the most effective system of long-range defensive weapons sent to the country," the authors of the article noted.
At the same time, the channel's sources indicated that there are "huge" logistical problems associated with the "delivery and operation" of the SAM.
The next day, retired US Marine Intelligence officer Scott Ritter spoke about his fears that the Patriot air defense system would not be integrated into the air defense system of Ukraine, they would be isolated and become an easy target for Russian troops.
The first deputy head of the International Committee of the Federation Council, Vladimir Jabarov, said on December 14 that the supply of these anti-aircraft missile systems to Kiev could provoke a direct conflict between Russia and NATO. He believes that with such supplies Washington "puts the world on the brink of World War III."
On December 15, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, said at a briefing that "many experts, including overseas, doubted the reasonableness of such a step (deliveries of Patriot air defense systems. - "Newspaper.Ru"), which leads to an escalation of the conflict. She is sure that this "increases the risk of direct involvement of the American army in the fighting."
Maria Shustrova
