Zelensky warns Ukraine may wait YEARS for the 500 Patriot missiles the US has approved in a $2.1bn sale
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, who had warned this month that Ukraine had nearly run out of Patriot interceptors as Russia struck a Kyiv energy facility on 30 October, blacking out four city districts.Ukrainian emergency service firefighters tackle a blaze in Sumy region as Russia struck energy infrastructure across Ukraine, hitting a Kyiv facility on 30 October and a combined heat and power plant in Shostka the following morning.A fire engine tackles a blaze in the Poltava region as Russia continued attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure daily, striking a Kyiv facility on 30 October and a Shostka heat and power plant the following morning.Norway, Germany and Canada are funding the entire $2.1bn package of 500 Patriot PAC-3 MSE interceptor missiles, with Volodymyr Zelenskyy warning deliveries may not begin for years.
Canada, Germany and Norway will cover the full $2.1bn cost through the US JUMPSTART programme, with no American funding involved and Lockheed Martin serving as principal contractor. Zelensky urged allies to transfer Patriots from their current stockpiles immediately and use the newly approved missiles to restock them later, warning that Russia is striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure 'every single day'.
Zelensky said he had asked Washington for a monthly supply of 100 Patriot interceptors as a 'winter support package'.
Ukraine has accused the Pentagon of sitting on critical missile deliveries for nearly a month, with Zelensky naming defence secretary Pete Hegseth directly.
At least 14 people died when a Russian drone struck a busy rail platform in Dnipro on Thursday, underscoring Ukraine's urgent need.
