Ukraine contracting around 1,000 Patriot missiles from allies, defence chief says

KYIV: Ukraine is seeking a fleet of approximately 1,000 missiles for its Patriot air-defense systems, receiving assistance from allies and a European Union loan, according to Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara. At a Defence Contact Group meeting, Khmara also emphasized that the majority of the missiles wouldn't arrive until the coming years, urging for more immediate aid.

In a separate statement, Khmara's office revealed that Ukraine is requesting Western partners to provide additional air defense missiles in exchange for enhanced missile performance under signed contracts. The ministry's summary of the meeting highlighted that Khmara had unveiled a war strategy already being executed, alongside a list of Moscow's primary threats.

Khmara stated that Russia is not gaining any strategic ground along the 1,200-km front line, but Moscow is compensating for battlefield losses with "terror against Ukrainians." As Russia resumed frequent drone and missile strikes on Kyiv, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged that Ukraine's allies must escalate support, enabling Kyiv to capitalize on current prospects and safeguard itself in the skies.