Volodymyr Zelenskyy Urges Allies to Increase Supplies of Patriot Interceptors Amidst Russian Ballistic Missile Attacks
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Western allies to increase the supply of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors to defend against Russia's growing ballistic missile threat. During a recent attack, Ukraine failed to shoot down a single Russian ballistic missile, leaving the capital and other cities exposed to high-speed projectiles that require specific defense systems. Zelenskyy noted that the shortage of interceptors is largely due to the consumption of munitions in the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, which has depleted the U.S. Patriot inventory by an estimated 65% from prewar levels. While the Patriot system remains the only Ukrainian defense capable of intercepting Russian Iskander-M, S-400, and Zircon missiles, the administration's partners are facing production delays. Although President Trump signaled a potential license for Ukraine to produce its own Patriots, a final decision has not yet been made. Zelenskyy warned that Moscow is preparing to increase missile production ahead of winter, and he called on partners to either increase deliveries or impose new sanctions on Russia's ballistic missile production.