Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine

Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems of the Bundeswehr’s anti-aircraft missile squadron 1 stand on the airfield of the Schwesing military airport, Germany, March 17. (Axel Heimken/Picture Alliance/Getty Images)

Poland’s Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said Wednesday the Patriot missile defense system that Germany offered Poland should go to Ukraine instead.

“Following further missile attacks (from Russia), I approached (Germany) to move the proposed (Poland) Patriot batteries to (Ukraine) and deploy them on the western border,” Blaszczak said on Twitter.

“This will protect (Ukraine) from further casualties and power outages and increase security on our eastern border.”

The Ambassador of Ukraine in Warsaw, Vasyl Swarych, thanked him on Twitter, adding: “We need as many modern missile defense systems as possible to keep the skies over Ukraine safe. The successful defense (of Ukraine) against Russia is a contribution to the security of Poland and the whole of Europe, because Russian terror knows no borders.”

Germany’s offer to Poland came after a missile struck Polish territory near the Ukrainian border on November 15, killing two people. Poland and NATO leaders said the projectile was likely fired by Ukrainian forces defending their country against Russian attacks and that the incident appeared to be an accident.

A long-standing mainstay of US military operations, the Patriot air defense missile system – Patriot stands for “Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept of Target” – is designed to repel and destroy incoming short-range ballistic missiles, advanced aircraft and cruise missiles.

The battery includes missiles and launch stations, a radar that detects and tracks targets, and a mission control station, according to the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance.

The Patriot missile system has undergone multiple improvements and upgrades since its first deployment in 1982.

Its first combat mission was in the Gulf War, which was also the first time an air defense system destroyed an enemy tactical ballistic missile.

Read more about Patriot missile defense systems here.

Health & Fitness Journal’s Veronica Stracqualursi contributed to this post.