Ukraine faces interceptor missile shortage: Volodymyr Zelensky turns to the USA
Volodymyr Zelensky warns that Ukraine's stockpile of interceptor missiles has dwindled significantly while Russia intensifies ballistic missile strikes. He is urging the USA to sell Kyiv a portion of its Patriot stockpile, stating that 5% would help survive the winter, while 10% would allow for full interception capabilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the United States to sell Kyiv a portion of the Patriot system interceptor missile stockpile, warning that the severe shortage of ballistic missile defense leaves Ukrainian cities increasingly exposed to Russian attacks. In an interview with CNN, Zelensky stated that if Ukraine were to receive 10 percent of the American stockpile, it would be able to intercept all the ballistic missiles Russia is currently launching.
"Sell us 5 percent, we will get through the winter and save human lives. If you can sell us 10 percent, we will destroy all the Russians' ballistic missiles. I have one percent," said Zelensky.
According to him, the situation has worsened significantly compared to last year: "This year we have two and a half times fewer interceptor missiles than we had in 2025. Russia has twice as many ballistic missiles every month than before."
Zelensky described a reality of almost non-stop aerial attacks. "Every night there are strikes, and four or five times a month we deal with massive attacks, terrible nights," he said. "The people are truly heroes, truly resilient. But they are tired." According to UN data cited in reports on the interview, July was the deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since April 2022.
The Ukrainian President noted that obtaining additional interceptor missiles has become one of his primary preoccupations. "This is what I live every day, going from one percent to five percent. I have a few months and millions of phone calls," he said. He explained that he is attempting to reach agreements with Ukraine's allies and is offering various exchanges for the missiles. "I am doing certain things that I cannot even talk about. It doesn't mean they are illegal, I just cannot disclose them."
Zelensky also addressed the possibility of Ukraine producing interceptor missiles for the Patriot system under an American license. According to him, President Donald Trump previously expressed willingness to discuss the issue, but as of now, there is no final agreement. "I hope I will get it," said Zelensky, adding: "I don't have 5 percent now and I don't have such an agreement. It is a big challenge for me, one of the biggest since the beginning of the war."
