Key facts
- Ukraine has urgently appealed to nearly 40 allied nations for Patriot missiles.
- The appeal follows a large Russian aerial assault on Kyiv that killed at least 22 people.
- Ukraine has contracts for hundreds of PAC-2 Patriot missiles, with deliveries expected in coming years.
- Kyiv is also purchasing approximately 100 additional Patriot missiles through an EU-backed loan.
- European partners have started transferring missiles from their stockpiles for the first time this year.
- President Zelensky stated that delayed military aid has resulted in Ukrainian casualties.
Ukraine has urgently appealed to nearly 40 allied nations to transfer Patriot missiles from their stockpiles, as the country's air defenses struggle to cope with intensified Russian aerial assaults. The plea comes after Russia launched one of its largest-ever attacks against Kyiv on July 2, resulting in at least 22 fatalities and overwhelming Ukraine's air defense capabilities.
According to Ukraine's Defense Ministry, while contracts for hundreds of PAC-2 Patriot missiles have been signed with German support, deliveries are not expected for several years. The country is also pursuing the purchase of approximately 100 additional Patriot missiles through a 1 billion euro loan backed by the European Union. European partners have begun transferring missiles from their own inventories for the first time this year.
Despite improvements in the effectiveness of Patriot systems against Russian Iskander missiles, the ministry emphasized that current supplies are insufficient. Ukraine's Defense Ministry highlighted the critical need for additional missiles from partners' stockpiles and urged swift decisions, including expanding the NATO-coordinated Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) and procuring missiles through the U.S. JUMPSTART program.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at a strike site in Kyiv, lamented that delayed military aid has led to loss of life and property. He stated that Ukraine requires at least 140 Patriot missiles to effectively counter an attack involving around 70 ballistic missiles, emphasizing that the country is fighting alone and relies on partners fulfilling their commitments. Patriot remains the sole air defense system in Ukraine's arsenal capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles, and shortages leave cities vulnerable during large-scale attacks.