5% of US Patriot stocks gets Ukraine through winter, 10% ends the ballistic threat — and Zelenskyy has just 1%, he tells CNN

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed to CNN that Ukraine possesses only around 10% of the necessary Patriot interceptor missiles to defend against Russia's escalating ballistic threats throughout the winter. According to Zelenskyy, procuring just 5% of the existing US stockpile would suffice to sustain Ukraine through the colder months, while 10% would enable the complete destruction of Russia's ballistic missile arsenal.

This shortage of interceptors has been a persistent issue in Ukraine's foreign relations, leaving its cities increasingly vulnerable. On August 5th, Russia launched 28 ballistic and anti-ship missiles at Kyiv, with none being intercepted, resulting in 17 deaths. Just four days prior, Russia fired 27 ballistic missiles, of which only one was neutralized. July witnessed the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since April 2022, as reported by the UN.

Zelenskyy highlighted that Ukraine now has only two and a half times fewer interceptors compared to 2025, while Russia's monthly production of ballistic missiles has doubled. The scarcity of the US-made Patriot's PAC-3 interceptor, which is the most effective in neutralizing these threats, is a global issue. The conflict has already depleted stocks due to the US-Iran war, and Ukraine's share of the limited supply is now under immense pressure.

The shortage stems from a lack of global manufacturers capable of producing these interceptors, as only a handful of countries possess the necessary technology, and the US produces approximately 600 Patriots annually. Orders for such weapons are placed years in advance, making it impossible to quickly close the gap before winter through financial means alone.

Ukrainian officials remain optimistic that American President Donald Trump's initiative to license Ukraine to build its own Patriot interceptors might materialize. However, there are still doubts regarding the feasibility of this plan. Zelenskyy acknowledged the complexity of securing these interceptors, describing it as "one of the biggest challenges" since the beginning of the war.

He described the daily, often confidential negotiations he engages in to bridge the gap in interceptors, though he declined to disclose details to maintain confidentiality. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of seeking security guarantees from the US, stating that ceding the Donbas region, as Putin demands, would be detrimental to Ukraine's long-term security.

He also confirmed a recent conversation with Vice President Kamala Harris, but refused to comment on whether she had requested a halt to strikes on a Russian Black Sea oil port, as reported by The Financial Times. Zelenskyy echoed Western assessments that Putin may seek to expand the conflict to a NATO state, most likely in the Baltic region, and reiterated Ukraine's commitment to neutralizing any incoming missile threats.