The DPR stated that Patriot complexes pose a problem only in the latest modificationPatriot air defense systems, which the United States is going to supply to Ukraine, are a problem only in the latest modification.
This was reported on December 24 in the People's Militia of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).
"The first two modifications of Patriot — RAS-1 and RAS-2 — proved to be extremely inefficient systems even in Iraq, even against old types of OTRK (operational-tactical missile system. — Ed.)," the agency quotes TASS.
At the same time, it is noted that no one has seen the newest model of the RAS-3 complex in battle yet. According to the ministry, it is equipped with AN AN/MPQ-65 radar, which is able to detect low-altitude and small-sized targets at distances of 70 km.
The ministry stressed that the delivery of these complexes to Ukraine is a forced measure, because most of the air defense was destroyed by the Russian army.
"But it will create problems precisely due to this radar, since even a simple increase in the awareness of the air defense system in the first echelon can increase the number of our downed cruise missiles, and this is annoying — they are still expensive. Of course, we will destroy this, but the task is not the easiest, especially in the case of radar," the representative of the People's Militia added.
Earlier in the day, the director of the Museum of Air Defense Forces in Balashikha, Yuri Knutov, said that NATO servicemen could be involved in the management of the American Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems (SAMs), which were included in the new package of military assistance to Kiev. He explained that the Patriot complex is a rather complex weapons system, and it takes from 70 to 90 people to service one such complex. According to him, it takes about six months to train the maintenance of the complex.
On December 22, Politico reported that the Pentagon plans to train employees of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) to work with the Patriot air defense system at a military base in the United States. According to the sources of the publication, several months are given for training.
On December 21, the White House announced that it would supply Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems to Kiev. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, who flew to the United States on an official visit that day, noted that he was satisfied with the results of negotiations with his American counterpart Joe Biden. He also expressed hope that Congress will approve the initiative to supply another batch of weapons worth $45 million to Kiev.
At the same time, according to The Washington Post, Zelensky, following a trip to the United States, did not achieve the goal of obtaining more modern weapons for offensive actions.
As Russian President Vladimir Putin noted, the American Patriot air defense system is quite an old system, but such deliveries to Kiev will prolong the conflict.
Western countries have increased military and financial support for Ukraine against the background of the Russian Federation's special operation to protect Donbass. The decision to hold it was made by Vladimir Putin against the background of the aggravation of the situation in the region due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.
Watch more relevant videos and details about the situation in Donbass on the Izvestia TV channel.
