PURL secures basic level of Patriot missiles for Ukraine, Ukrainian official says
Photo: Head of Ukraine's Mission to NATO Alyona Getmanchuk (flickr.com)
Ukraine receives Patriot missiles from the United States through the PURL program. However, as Russia has scaled up its ballistic missile strikes, Ukraine’s need for these weapons has increased critically, stated Alyona Getmanchuk, head of Ukraine’s Mission to NATO, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
Ukraine needs Patriot missiles
Getmanchuk outlined Ukraine’s efforts to get the missiles.
"We are working on all fronts to protect our skies. Because this is now about more than just interceptors, it is about protecting the skies and saving lives," she said.
The head of Ukraine’s Mission to NATO noted that the first track is the PURL program, which provides Ukraine with a basic monthly supply of PAC-3 and PAC-2 interceptors.
"This basic level is insufficient, given the scale and intensity of Russia’s ballistic attacks, but even this level has to be provided and funded by someone," she added.
Getmanchuk also thanked the United States for its assistance.
"We are very grateful to the United States that, despite its own needs, particularly in the Middle East, it finds a way to fill the PURL packages with interceptors that are so critical for us," she said.
RBC-Ukraine previously reported that NATO member states, for the first time at the leaders’ level, stated in a declaration that Ukraine is a contributor to Euro-Atlantic security, Getmanchuk said.
It was also reported that, according to Getmanchuk, Ukraine could not only strengthen NATO’s European capabilities but potentially replace some US capabilities in the future.
In addition, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group is now operating continuously, Getmanchuk said.
