Imran Khalid

Opinion | Ukraine war: Volodymyr Zelensky securing US Patriot defence system will shift balance but not end fighting

Because of its long range and high-altitude capability, the Patriot system can shoot down Russian missiles and aircraft far from their targets

Ukraine having the Patriot system will change the complexion of the war, but changes in US politics and Russian tactics mean an end to the war is not in sight

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Imran Khalid

Published: 1:00am, 30 Dec 2022Updated: 2:32am, 30 Dec 2022

“The Patriot air defence is outdated. An antidote will always be found … Russia will knock down the Patriot system,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said while reacting to the reports about the Biden administration’s decision to supply the Patriot system to Ukraine. Putin appears to be anxious over the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington that paved the way to more financial and military support to Kyiv.

Zelensky’s much-touted visit to Washington was astutely planned ahead of January 3, when the Republicans will assume control of the US House of Representatives. It was part of a plan to resurrect US public opinion as well as influence the US Congress in favour of Ukraine to secure almost US$45 billion in support for the Ukrainian resistance against the Russian invasion.

There is no doubt that Zelensky played his part well during his visit to the United States. His theatrics – including his khaki fatigues and presentation to Congress of a Ukrainian flag signed by frontline Ukrainian soldiers – generated support and sympathy in the US for the Ukrainian people who have been courageously fighting the invading Russian troops.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (right) and US Vice-President Kamala Harris hold open a Ukrainian flag presented to them by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as he delivers an address at a joint meeting of the US Congress in Washington on December 21. Photo: ZUMA Press Wire / dpa

Being a media-savvy person who has successfully carved the image of a wartime leader, Zelensky is using all the tricks of the trade to evoke public sympathy globally – especially among the US public – to ensure weapons and money are supplied to his country without any interruption.

Putin, on the other hand, is in distress for different reasons. In the last two months, Russian forces have ground to a halt and not been able to make significant advances inside Ukrainian territory. In particular, the fiascos of Kharkiv and Bakhmut have exposed the vulnerability and inefficiency of the Russian forces.

Russia’s image as a military superpower and robust fighting force is practically shattered. Western analysts appear to be right in portraying Russia’s military as an ill-disciplined fighting machine that is equipped with obsolete weapons and supported by an antiquated supply chain and logistical support.

Morale in the Russian military is reportedly low, and Russia has lost more soldiers in the last 10 months than the Soviet Union did in nearly a decade of its attempt to invade Afghanistan. It is also true there are major supply chain and logistical hindrances that are impeding the ground operations of the Russian army.