Hegseth delays transfer to Ukraine of large batch of Patriot missiles

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has still not approved the transfer to Ukraine of a large batch of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems, which have already been paid for by Ukraine’s allies.

This was reported by the Kyiv Independent.

According to the outlet, the missile batch is described as “significant.” Ukrainian officials and military personnel suspect that Washington is deliberately delaying deliveries in order to put pressure on Kyiv. The Pentagon did not respond to a journalist inquiry, but a U.S. government spokesperson called the claims untrue.

NATO, for its part, maintains that weapons deliveries to Ukraine through the PURL program are continuing, including deliveries of air defense assets.

The Kyiv Independent, citing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reports that the United States is supplying Ukraine with only 12 Patriot interceptor missiles per month.

Earlier, CNN reported that Ukraine had completely run out of interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system. CBS News also reported that U.S. military forces are facing a critical shortage of missiles for the Patriot and THAAD air defense systems, and that replenishing their stockpiles will not be possible before 2030 — even if the use of such munitions is halted entirely.