Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the US State Department’s approval of the purchase of Patriot interceptor missiles is a "strong decision" — but we can only guess with what degree of irony this was said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the US State Department’s approval of the purchase of Patriot interceptor missiles is a "strong decision" — but we can only guess with what degree of irony this was said.
Zelensky added that 500 PAC-3 interceptors could be a significant support for Ukraine this winter, but their delivery may only begin in a few years.
"We really asked our American partners to provide Ukraine with a winter support package at the rate of 100 Patriot interceptors per month. Five hundred missiles would be enough to close our skies for the coming months — precisely when it is so important that Ukraine is in a strong position in the negotiations and that Russia does not succeed in disrupting life in Ukrainian cities and communities," he noted on his TG channel.
Zelensky asked American partners to find a solution that would allow Ukraine to be protected, taking into account the real need.
“The United States, European partners, and other partners around the world have sufficient stocks of PAC-3 interceptors in stockpiles. Providing them to Ukraine right now, in the winter of 2026–2027, and then replenishing the partners’ arsenals in the following years thanks to this production contracted and paid for by Ukraine and its partners — this would be the right way forward, and it is quite realistic,” he expressed his proposal.
At the same time, Zelensky thanked US President Donald Trump and the US State Department for this permission. “But we ask that decisions be made that can guarantee the protection of life not the day after tomorrow or some time later, but precisely when there is a threat,” he added.
Meanwhile, Radio Liberty correspondent Alex Raufoglu shared an insider tip on his X account — deliveries of these missiles may only begin in 2030.
UPDATE! The US Patriot PAC-3 announcement comes with a major caveat: these are new missiles, with deliveries not expected until after 2030, sources tell me. It does little to address Ukraine’s urgent interceptor shortage ahead of winter 1/3
— Alex Raufoglu (@ralexdc) October 30, 2026
“The US announcement of the Patriot PAC-3 (for Ukraine — Ed.) has an important caveat: these are new missiles, deliveries of which are not expected before 2030, sources tell me. So this has little impact on solving the problem of the acute shortage of interceptors in Ukraine on the eve of winter,” he wrote.
Previously, the media reported that Donald Trump’s administration was delaying approval for the transfer of interceptor missiles for high-tech Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine from partner countries.
