DM Fedorov urges 40 partner countries to transfer Patriot missiles to Ukraine this month

According to Ukrinform, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry announced the initiative on Telegram.

"The Minister of Defense of Ukraine has already sent letters to nearly 40 partner countries requesting the immediate transfer of Patriot missiles from their existing stockpiles this month in exchange for future deliveries contracted for Ukraine. He also called on partners to contribute to the PURL and JUMPSTART mechanisms. These are the fastest and most reliable ways to deliver the Patriot missiles Ukraine urgently needs. It is critically important that decisions be made before the NATO Summit," the ministry said.

The Defense Ministry stressed that the speed of partners' decisions will directly affect the protection of Ukraine's airspace, critical infrastructure, and the lives of its people.

According to the ministry, intercepting ballistic missiles remains Ukraine's greatest air defense challenge due to the shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles.

To strengthen Ukraine's anti-ballistic capabilities, the Defense Ministry signed a record contract in April for hundreds of PAC-2 missiles for Patriot systems with Germany's support. Deliveries under the agreement are expected to begin over the coming years.

The ministry also noted that Ukraine has, for the first time, taken steps to procure approximately 100 Patriot missiles worth $1 billion using a European Union loan. In addition, Ukraine has begun receiving Patriot missiles from the stockpiles of its European partners for the first time this year.

The ministry added that, thanks to the implementation of NATO's After Action Review standard, Ukraine has more than doubled the effectiveness of Patriot systems against maneuvering Iskander ballistic missiles.

"However, this is still not enough. Ukraine urgently needs additional Patriot missiles. They are available in partners' stockpiles. Protecting Ukraine's skies now depends on swift decisions, expanding the PURL mechanism, and purchasing missiles through JUMPSTART," the ministry said.

As reported by Ukrinform, Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight on July 2, causing damage in every district of the capital. The latest reports indicate that 22 people were killed and 100 injured after ballistic missiles struck residential apartment buildings.

Photo: Mykhailo Fedorov / Facebook