Zelenskyy reports Ukraine receives 12 Patriot missiles monthly
The president says 35 interceptors have been used this month, while a new batch of 12 awaits final approval.
By Rebecca Caldwell ·
Ukraine consumed 35 Patriot interceptor missiles in October, a figure President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cited to illustrate the strain on air defence stocks. He told reporters on 28 October that the country now receives an average of 12 such missiles per month from the United States.
Zelenskyy identified the supply of these interceptors as the most difficult component of recent weapons purchases. He noted that while European partners have funded other equipment that arrived without issue, securing Patriot missiles remains a persistent challenge. The president stated he works daily to secure these assets and must seek new aid packages weekly to counter Russian ballistic missile attacks.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved a new package of 12 missiles. Zelenskyy called this approval welcome news. A separate issue involves 23 additional missiles that Kyiv has sourced from other countries. Those interceptors currently await approval for integration into Ukraine’s defence network.
During a meeting with Donald Trump in New York, Zelenskyy requested a specific "winter package" of missiles. He explained to the US president that if the request were met, Ukraine would refrain from striking oil refineries. When Trump inquired about where to source the weapons, Zelenskyy listed the countries holding them. Trump replied that the United States would assist but noted its own limited stocks.
These comments follow Zelenskyy’s remarks on 26 October. At that time, he said Kyiv had waited nearly a month for Hegseth to sign off on missiles for Patriot and NASAMS systems. He instructed his team to reopen negotiations with the US side to expedite the process.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda
