Ukraine received just 24 Patriot missiles from US in 90 days, Zelenskyy says
Ukraine has received just 24 Patriot air defense missiles from the United States over the past 90 days, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with ABC News, highlighting shortages of interceptors needed to defend against Russian missile attacks.
Zelenskyy contrasted the deliveries with the more than 2,000 Patriot missiles he said the United States and Middle Eastern countries had used against Iranian targets during the first days of the war with Iran.
"We are not crying or shouting, but this is very important. Every missile matters," he said.
Zelenskyy reiterated that Washington has not approved deliveries of additional missiles to Ukraine, despite European allies being prepared to cover most of the costs.
Ukrainian officials have previously said that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has declined to authorize shipments of Patriot interceptors already paid for by Ukraine's partners.
Patriot systems are a critical component of Ukraine's air defenses, particularly against Russian ballistic missiles. Shortages of interceptors limit Ukraine's ability to protect cities and critical infrastructure from such attacks.