Zelenskyy confirms Patriot missile shortage as most supplies go to Middle East
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
There is a severe shortage of Patriot, PAC-2, and PAC-3 missiles in Ukraine: most of them have long been sent to the Middle East, says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a briefing in Brussels.
Missiles being sent to Middle East
"There is currently a severe shortage. Most of the PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles have been sent to the Middle East for quite some time now. This is no secret," Zelenskyy says.
"We are not the top priority for the allocation of PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles. Nevertheless, we are grateful for the number of missiles we can receive through the PURL program," he adds.
Zelenskyy thanks NATO, the Europeans who are funding this, the White House administration, and the United States of America.
Who pays and where missiles come from
Some of the missiles come from the US through the PURL program.
"We receive PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles from the United States through the PURL program. Europe pays for this, meaning these are not free missiles and they are not gifts," the President explains.
"We are working with Europe and other countries around the world to gather 3, 5, or 10 missiles at a time. However many we can agree upon, however many suitable missiles we can obtain—that is how many we deliver to Ukraine to protect our people," the head of state says.
"Today we are defending our infrastructure, primarily the energy sector. You are well aware of all these challenges," Zelenskyy notes.
Ukraine has run out of Patriot interceptor missiles, a CNN source reported.
As a result, nearly all ballistic missiles during the latest Russian attack were not intercepted.
Japan plans to consider transferring Patriot missiles to Ukraine.
According to former Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, there are legal restrictions in the country, but the government intends to begin internal discussions.
