Zelensky: Ukraine needs 300 Patriot missiles for winter

At the “coalition of the willing” summit in Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky named the exact number of interceptors needed for Patriot systems during the winter period — 300 missiles, calculated at 100 units per month.

This was reported by TSN correspondent Yelena Chernyakova.

“We need to do everything possible to ensure that the winter air defense package reaches Ukraine. We hope to receive this package,” Zelensky said.

According to the president, the winter missile package for air defense is one of the main ways to strengthen Ukraine’s overall position. Zelensky stressed that this is not about free aid, but about Ukraine’s readiness to purchase weapons.

“The missiles needed for Patriot are something that only our partners can provide. At all levels, we convey to them both our need and the fact that we know our partners can meet that need. We are not talking about gifts — this is about Ukraine’s readiness to buy weapons,” the head of state declared.

To supply Ukraine with missiles, Zelensky said, the relevant political decisions are needed from partners — above all the United States. Meanwhile, Trump refused to provide Ukraine with new Patriot missiles that Zelensky had requested. According to analysts, the US possesses a total of only 759 of the most advanced Patriot missiles.

Congressman Mike Turner said the US is still in negotiations with Ukraine on transferring production technology for Patriot interceptor missiles. The US Department of Defense signed framework agreements with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to expand production capacity for PAC-3 Patriot missile interceptor components and THAAD interceptors. According to the Pentagon, the framework deal will allow Patriot missile production to triple and THAAD missile production to quadruple.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the Ukrainian side is actively seeking PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems ahead of winter.

“Protecting Ukrainian skies, an air shield. We are also working with those capitals where we know there are suitable assets for us. These are, above all, interceptors — PAC-2, PAC-3 for Patriot systems. It is very difficult. We are literally fighting tooth and nail, battling for every item, for every missile. But I believe we are making progress. We are making progress, our partners are hearing us,” Sybiha said.