Missile supplies for Ukraine's air defenses down threefold despite available stocks - Zelenskyy
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with military officials, the Defense Ministry, and teams from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), military intelligence (HUR), and the Presidential Office.
The president heard briefings from Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi, Chief of the General Staff Ihor Skybiuk, and Acting Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara on the battlefield situation and key supply needs.
The participants also outlined additional measures to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure facilities across Ukraine.
"Unfortunately, deliveries of anti-ballistic missiles from our partners have fallen significantly this year. The number of air defense missiles supplied has dropped threefold compared with 2025. And this is not only about the summer period — it applies to the entire first half of 2026. Our partners have these missiles," Zelenskyy said.
According to the president, political decisions are needed to ensure the deliveries take place and to accelerate production processes, including the localization of manufacturing in Ukraine.
Ukraine lacks missiles for Patriot systems
Last night, Ukraine's air defenses once again failed to fully repel a large-scale Russian ballistic missile attack because of a shortage of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems.
Zelenskyy again criticized partners for moving too slowly on supplying anti-ballistic capabilities.
Meanwhile, media reports claim that US President Donald Trump declined to provide Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine despite a personal request from Zelenskyy.
At the same time, the Ukrainian president has said that Ukraine and the United States continue to implement agreements reached during recent talks. The two sides are already preparing documents for new missile-related projects.
