President Volodymyr Zelensky asked U.S. President Donald Trump for additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians, in particular, Patriot missile systems. The U.S. president agreed to find what was available, particularly in Europe, according to a readout of a call between the two leaders on March 19.
In preparation for the transfer, U.S. Air Force cargo planes recently transported the interceptors from an air base in southern Israel to Rzeszów, Poland, a key logistics hub for military aid to Ukraine.
"More Patriot (air defenses) for Ukraine means more protection of life," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Key developments on Jan. 14: * Ukraine targets Russia's industrial plants, ammunition depots in 'massive' strike overnight * Equipping troops takes priority over lowering draft age, Zelensky says * Ukraine denies transferring Air Force personnel to infantry amid troop shortages * Germany to deploy Patriot at Poland's key hub for Ukraine aid by end
Monitoring group German Aid to Ukraine wrote earlier that two MIM-104 Patriot fire units and a total of 200 Bundeswehr soldiers will be deployed to Poland for an estimated six months to protect Polish airspace.
Zelensky made this statement at the opening of the 25th Ramstein summit, which was dedicated to strengthening Ukraine's defenses, particularly its air defense.
"In a month and a half, we created a project from scratch and made a shield from Metinvest's Ukrainian armor steel for the Patriot air defense system crew, which guarantees protection against debris damage to both the defenders and the air defense control center," said Oleksandr Myronenko, a COO of Metinvest Group.
Berlin supplied Ukraine with 15 Leopard 1A5 tanks, one short-range and one medium-range IRIS-T air defense system with missiles, two Patriot air defense launchers, and other aid in the latest delivery, the German government said on Dec. 23.
Key developments on Nov. 28: * Russia's large-scale attack strikes a 'massive blow' at Ukraine's energy system * 'Putin wants to escalate' before Trump takes office — Zelensky hits back at Oreshnik threats * Ukraine destroys Russian $5 million radar system in Crimea, military intelligence claims * Netherlands hands over 3 Patriot air defense launchers
"This saves lives and protects vital infrastructure. It is and remains in our common interest to stop Russian aggression," Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said.
The Biden administration will rush the delivery of over 500 interceptor missiles for the Patriot and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile (NASAMS) systems to Kyiv, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Nov. 9, citing a senior administration official.
The funds allocated by Norway will be used to buy a new Patriot system for Romania to replace the one it handed over to Ukraine on Oct. 3.
For Russian liberals, late opposition leader Alexei Navalny represented a glimmer of hope for a democratic future. Yet for many Ukrainians, especially in the context of a decade of war, he was a more complex figure, often casting doubt on whether Russian opposition to Vladimir Putin necessarily aligned with support
Sitting at Kyiv's main train station moments before wrapping up his trip to Ukraine, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans had a lot to discuss. Brekelmans has just announced that the first batch of Dutch F-16s are flying Ukrainian skies, defending the country from Russian air strikes. He also announced that
Key developments on Oct. 3: * Ukrainian drones strike Russian airfield in Voronezh Oblast, SBU source says * Zelensky calls for jointly intercepting Russian missiles during NATO chief Rutte's visit to Kyiv * Russia attacking Kursk Oblast settlements with no Ukrainian troops present, Kyiv's military claims * Ukraine receives Patriot air defense system from
Ukraine received a Patriot air defense system from Bucharest, a Romanian Defense Ministry spokesperson Constantin Spinu confirmed.
"We are also trying to find other elements that are needed to complete the system," Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said.
A plan from the Netherlands to provide Ukraine with a full Patriot system has fallen through after an unnamed ally working with the Netherlands backed out, local media reported.
Key developments on Sept. 5: * Russian advance near Pokrovsk stalled in recent days, Syrskyi says * Russia pulls 60,000 troops to counter Kursk incursion, Zelensky claims * Officials say 55 killed, 328 injured in Poltava as rescue operations conclude * Romanian president signs decree on donating Patriot to Ukraine * Belarus confirms downing
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Sept. 5 signed a decree regarding the transfer of a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine, giving final approval to the donation.
Key developments on Aug. 29: * F-16 fighter jet crashes in Ukraine, military confirms * Fighting near Pokrovsk 'exceptionally brutal,' Syrskyi says * Russian troops forced to retreat in Vovchansk after failed assault preparations, Ukraine says * 'Systems are there, what is lacking is final go' — Kuleba urges partners not to delay Patriot
"Good progress has been made, and announcements were made, but again, some Patriot systems were announced and not delivered yet," Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told journalists ahead of an EU ministerial meeting in Brussels.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detained a suspected spy in Kharkiv who was passing information on Patriot air defenses in the city to Russia, the SBU said on Aug. 27.
The U.S. defense contractor Raytheon was granted a $478-million contract by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to supply GEM-T missile interceptors to Germany, the company said on Aug. 6.
U.S. plans to produce more Patriot air defense missiles — critical for Ukraine's defense against Russia — at Japanese factories is delayed by shortages of a crucial component made by Boeing, four unnamed sources told Reuters.
The U.S. and at least nine other NATO allies have agreed to send dozens of air defense systems in the coming months to Ukraine, including at least four Patriot batteries, according to a joint agreement issued on July 9.
The U.S. will provide Poland with a second $2 billion Foreign Military Financing loan to purchase defense equipment from the U.S., the State Department announced on July 8.
The package will include ammunition for the Leopard 1 tank, 9,000 rounds of ammunition for anti-aircraft guns Gepard, 55,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition from German domestic stocks, as well as 58,000 rounds of 40mm ammunition.
The third Patriot air defense system pledged by Germany is already in Ukraine, German Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Jaeger said on July 5.
All Kinzhal ballistic missiles fired by Russia at targets in Kyiv have been downed since the U.S. provided Patriot air defense systems in May 2023, Ukrainian Air Force Colonel Serhii Yaremenko said in an interview with Ukrinform published on July 4.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked U.S. President Joe Biden, Congress, and American citizens on July 3 for their continued military support.
Ukraine is expected to get "more news" on air defense capabilities before the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on July 1.
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