Zelenskyy says Patriot PAC-3 missile deliveries could take years, while Ukraine needs them this winter

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed the US State Department's decision to approve the sale of interceptors designed to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles for Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine. However, he said deliveries might not begin for several years.

Source: Zelenskyy on social media

Quote: "A strong decision by the US State Department – authorising Ukraine's purchase of Patriot interceptors to counter Russian ballistic missiles. Five hundred PAC-3 interceptors is a substantial number, and very soon – this winter – they COULD make for a highly effective defence package. However, it has been stipulated that deliveries may begin ONLY IN A FEW YEARS. We are asking our American partners to find a solution for the time when there is a real danger and a real need to use PAC-3 interceptors."

Details: Zelenskyy stressed that, ahead of winter, Russia had launched a large-scale campaign of strikes against the essential services that keep Ukrainian cities and hromadas running, targeting electricity, heating and water supply facilities, as well as bridges. He said that in the last two weeks of October alone, Russian forces had conducted more than 30 strikes on key parts of Ukraine's power grid. 

The president also said that Kyiv had asked the US to provide a winter support package based on a monthly supply of 100 interceptors for Patriot systems.

Quote: "Five hundred missiles would be enough to protect our skies over the coming months – precisely when it is so important for Ukraine to be in a strong position in negotiations and for Russia NOT to succeed in breaking life in Ukrainian cities and communities."

Details: Zelenskyy noted that the US, European countries and other partners around the world have sufficient stocks of PAC-3 interceptors in their warehouses.

Quote: "Providing them to Ukraine right now – in the winter of 2026-2027 – and replenishing our partners' arsenals LATER, in THE FOLLOWING YEARS, through this production already contracted and paid for by Ukraine and our partners, would be the right approach. And it is entirely feasible."

Details: Zelenskyy also thanked US President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with whom the issue of PAC-3 interceptors had recently been discussed, and the US State Department for approving the deal. He called for decisions that will ensure people's lives are protected at the very moment a threat arises.

Background: The US State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale to Ukraine of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles for Patriot air defence systems.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon to help us keep reporting!