Given Russia's air superiority, Ukrainians urgently need surface-to-air missile systems (as well as other weapons).
It is also true that, despite the "westernization" received by the Americans in the last 8 years, the Ukrainian armed forces need to receive systems they already know, such as the S-300 long-range missiles (100 km of maximum range).
In recent days, Slovakia has dissolved the reserve: it will supply Kiev with the S-300PMU surface-to-air systems, equipped with 5V55R missiles (maximum range 90 km).
The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Eduard Heger, confirmed on 8 April that: "Slovakia donated the S-300 air defense system to Ukraine following its request for self-defense assistance due to armed aggression by the Russian Federation".
It should be noted that he made this announcement during a trip to Kiev, together with Ursula Von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, and Josep Borrell, high representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security.
Already on 17 March, the Slovak Defense Minister, Jaroslav Nad, had announced the willingness of Bratislava to "sell" a battery of S-300s. Provided that, alternatively, an "adequate system" is available.
Indeed, Washington will supply Patriot PAC-3 missiles (photo), as a counterpart for the S-300s. The Patriot battery will be added to the German and Dutch ones present on Slovak territory.
Therefore, Bratislava has given the Ukrainians old systems, that is, not updated for over thirty years, in exchange it will receive the latest version of the Patriot (capable of intercepting ballistic missiles).
Photo: MO SR
