Zelenskyy Reports 12 Monthly Patriot Missiles from US, Urges Winter Aid

Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday that Ukraine receives an average of 12 Patriot missiles from the United States each month in 2026. He described the supply of these interceptors as the most difficult component of weapons purchases from Washington.

Speaking to reporters, Zelenskyy noted that Europe has funded much of the equipment, which arrived without issue. However, he identified Patriot missiles as a persistent challenge. The president stated that he works daily to secure interceptors and must seek new aid packages every week to defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently approved a package of 12 missiles. Zelenskyy called this welcome news but pointed out that Ukraine has already expended 35 missiles this month. A further 23 missiles, obtained from other sources, remain pending approval.

The president recounted a meeting with Donald Trump in New York, where he requested a winter package of missiles. Zelenskyy told Trump that if the US approved the request, Ukraine would refrain from striking oil refineries. When asked where the missiles could be sourced, Zelenskyy named specific countries holding the stock. Trump replied that the United States would do everything possible to help but noted it also needed missiles for its own defense and had limited stocks.

These comments follow a statement made on 26 October, when Zelenskyy said Kyiv had waited nearly a month for Hegseth to sign off on missiles for Patriot and NASAMS systems. At that time, he instructed his team to revisit the matter with US officials.

Zelenskyy said he laid out the specific number of missiles required for the upcoming season during his discussion with the US president.