KIEV, April 26 (Xinhua) -- The Patriot air defense system has been deployed in Ukraine, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said on Wednesday.

"From April 2023, the Patriot air defense system is on combat duty in Ukraine," Oleshchuk wrote in a Telegram post.

The Ukrainian servicemen are "quickly mastering" their skills in using the air defense system, he said.

The Patriot will help Ukraine protect its skies from ballistic missiles, Oleshchuk added.

On April 19, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that Patriot systems have arrived in Ukraine.

According to Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat, the Patriot missile system can destroy targets at distances up to 150 kilometers.