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Yevhenii Khmara Urges Allies to Release Patriot Interceptors from Existing Stocks to Defend Ukraine Against Russian Attacks

Yevhenii Khmara, Ukraine's defense minister, urged allies to release 300 Patriot interceptor missiles from existing stockpiles to defend against Russian ballistic missiles. During the 36th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, Khmara stated that while Ukraine is contracting a supply of approximately 1,000 Patriot missiles with partner support and EU financing, the majority of these will only begin arriving in future years. Germany has responded to the request by pledging to urgently send PAC-2 Patriot interceptors from Bundeswehr stocks. Boris Pistorius, Germany's defense minister, appealed to other allies to look into their own stocks and make similar deliveries. The United Kingdom also announced a commitment of £100 million ($135 million) to boost Ukraine's air defense package for this winter, which includes Patriot missiles, large-caliber artillery rounds, and drones. Khmara also highlighted a $27 billion defense funding gap for drone supplies. He noted that Russia is making no strategic gains along the frontline but is attempting to make up for it by targeting Ukraine's economic base and critical infrastructure through air raids.

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