Trump Refuses to Send Zelensky More Patriot Missiles

The administration of US President Donald Trump has turned down Ukraine's request for additional missiles for its Patriot air defence systems. The news comes from the Financial Times, which cites sources within the White House.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky complained about Washington's decision on Wednesday in a post on Facebook. His statement came after Ukraine's air defence forces failed to shoot down a single one of the missiles Russia launched overnight into Wednesday, according to Ukrainska Pravda.

A Shortage of Air Defence Missiles

"Unfortunately, deliveries of missile defence equipment from our partners have dropped significantly this year. The number of air defence missiles being supplied has fallen to a third of what it was in 2025," Zelensky wrote following a meeting with military commanders. He noted that the shortfall applies not only to the summer months but to the entire first half of this year.

The Ukrainian leader stressed that partner nations do have missiles available, and urged them to make the political decisions needed to supply them and speed up production — including setting up local weapons manufacturing on Ukrainian soil.

A Massive Strike and Dwindling Patriot Stocks

According to Ukraine's air force, Russia attacked the country overnight Wednesday with 115 drones, 24 Iskander-M/S-400 missiles, and four Zircon/Onyx missiles. Only 98 of the drones were intercepted.

As the AP notes, Moscow is exploiting a critical shortage of Patriot missiles — practically the only weapon in Ukraine's arsenal capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.

Tensions were further heightened by CNN reports claiming the US military used up roughly 80% of its THAAD missile stockpile and about 65% of its Patriot missile stockpile during strikes on Iran. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied the reports, calling claims of a significant depletion of missile defence stocks false and "spreading disinformation."

Source: novinky.cz