BERLIN (Agencies): In a significant development, several German MPs have given the green light to the idea of Western “cross-border” anti-aircraft units shooting down Russian missiles over Ukraine.
This move comes as the Ukrainian military reportedly runs low on air defense systems, even as Russian forces continue to successfully advance on several key areas of the front line.
Roderich Kiesewetter of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) argued that this would relieve the burden on Ukrainian air defenses and allow them to protect the front line. He referred to the assistance provided by the US, the UK, and France to Israel in repelling Iran’s massive missile attack in April, demonstrating that the involved states do not necessarily have to become ‘warring parties’ to a conflict.
Agnieszka Brugger of the Alliance 90/The Greens party insisted that it’s acceptable to station air defense systems at the borders of Ukraine’s neighboring nations to protect the western parts of the country.
Marcus Faber from the Free Democratic Party echoed this sentiment, stating that the airspace over the Ukrainian border regions could, in principle, be protected by air defense systems stationed on NATO territory.
However, he admitted that air defense batteries and rockets are already in short supply.
These remarks follow Nico Lange, senior researcher at the Munich Security Conference, stating in an interview that NATO allies should use the numerous Patriot anti-aircraft systems to down all Russian missiles and drones over Ukraine from the territory of Poland.
The Washington Post had earlier reported that Ukraine’s dwindling air defense capabilities are showing vulnerabilities, as more Russian missiles and drones are able to hit targets such as Kiev’s critical infrastructure facilities.
Western countries have ramped up military and financial aid to the Kiev regime since the start of the Russian special military operation, with Moscow condemning the ongoing assistance as proof of a NATO proxy war with Russia1. This development marks a significant shift in the approach towards the ongoing conflict in the region.