Over the past three months, Ukraine has received only 24 interceptor missiles for Patriot air defence systems from the United States. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this in an interview with ABC News.
The head of state said Ukraine needs far more missiles to defend against Russian ballistic strikes. He noted that on average, the country needs 350 Patriot interceptors per month.
The President also reported that 30 ballistic missiles struck Kyiv overnight from Thursday into Friday alone.
Against the backdrop of Russian attacks, Zelenskyy voiced concern about a reduction in US assistance to Ukraine. At the same time, he stressed that he remains grateful to the United States for its partnership in countering Russian aggression.
- Recently, President Zelenskyy accused US leader Donald Trump of trying to pressure Kyiv into Ukraine capitulating to Russia.
- Washington has recently taken a number of unfriendly steps towards Kyiv. These include deliberately slowing down Starlink internet speeds, which are critically important for Ukrainian forces, as well as delaying deliveries of interceptor missiles for Patriot systems—already in short supply—intended to counter ballistic missiles.