Zelenskyy: PAC-3 missiles could protect Ukraine this winter, but deliveries years away
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
The 500 PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems approved by the US could provide effective protection as early as this winter, but deliveries will not begin for several years. Ukraine is asking its partners to transfer missiles from their own stockpiles now, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy described the US State Department's decision to allow Ukraine to purchase 500 PAC-3 interceptor missiles as a strong move. At the same time, he said deliveries might not begin for several years.
"We are asking our American partners to find a solution for the time when there is a real danger and a real need to use PAC-3 interceptors," the president stressed.
According to Zelenskyy, Russia is striking Ukraine's energy infrastructure every day. In the last two weeks of October alone, Russian forces carried out more than 30 strikes on critical parts of the energy grid.
The president believes that, ahead of winter, Putin has launched an operation targeting the systems that keep cities running, with electricity, heating, water supplies, and bridges coming under attack.
Ukraine had asked the US for a winter package based on 100 Patriot missiles per month. According to Zelenskyy, 500 missiles would be enough to protect Ukrainian airspace over the coming months.
The president proposed a scheme under which partners would transfer missiles from their own stockpiles to Ukraine during the winter of 2026-2027 and later replenish their stocks using production capacity contracted and paid for by Ukraine and its allies.
Zelenskyy thanked US President Donald Trump and the State Department for approving the sale. He also said he had recently discussed the issue of PAC-3 missiles with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The US State Department has approved the possible sale of 500 PAC-3 MSE missiles and related equipment to Ukraine for $2.1 billion. The deal is being financed by European partners. However, as Politico journalist Paul McLeary noted, negotiations on the contract are only beginning following the approval, meaning the missiles are unlikely to arrive for several years.
The shortage of interceptors in Ukraine has already reached a critical level. According to CNN, Ukraine has once again run out of Patriot interceptor missiles, while Zelenskyy said the US is currently supplying only 12 such missiles per month. Meanwhile, Russia continues to strike infrastructure: on the evening of October 30, a drone attack on a critical facility left parts of Kyiv without water.
