Germany delivers Patriot missile systems to Ukraine

Germany has strengthened Ukraine's air defence with two more Patriot missile batteries, according to the official list of military aid for the country under attack by Russia updated by the German government weekly, reported dpa.

For Ukraine, the US-built Patriot systems are particularly valuable. According to Kiev, Patriot batteries have already intercepted Russian hypersonic missiles several times.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media that this aid had been agreed with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

"Fulfilment of our agreement will save thousands of lives of our people. We continue to work to strengthen Ukraine and protect it from Russian terror," Zelensky wrote.

The new German supplies also include 10 more Bandvagn 206 multipurpose tracked vehicles, six heavy-duty semi-trailer trucks and about 6000 rounds of smoke ammunition for 155 millimetre calibre artillery pieces. Germany also provided machine guns, military goggles, binoculars and mine-clearing equipment.