Ukraine has asked its allies to urgently send 300 Patriot interceptor missiles from existing stocks before Russia escalates attacks on cities and energy infrastructure this winter.
The list presented at the 36th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group also includes 500 air-to-air missiles that can intercept cruise missiles, portable anti-aircraft defense systems, and $2 billion for drones.
The requests were made on Tuesday during an online meeting of the so-called Ramstein format, attended by nearly 50 countries, as reported by Kyiv Post.
Ukrainian officials claim that Russia is aware of the vulnerabilities of the anti-aircraft defense system and is trying to exploit them to deplete Ukraine's military resources, economy, and population.
Why Ukraine needs missiles now
Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhen Kmara stated that the army shot down 31 out of 32 cruise missiles launched in the most recent massive attack by Russia. However, the situation is much more challenging when it comes to ballistic missiles.
“The difficulty is precisely caused by the lack of Patriot missiles,” he told the allies.
With the support of partners and European funding, Ukraine is finalizing contracts for approximately 1,000 Patriot interceptors. However, most of them will only be delivered in the coming years.
For this reason, Kyiv is asking allies to send 300 missiles from their own stocks now. These would be replaced later as new orders are delivered.
Germany has already announced that it will transfer Patriot PAC-2 interceptors from Bundeswehr stocks to Ukraine. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has urged other states to follow Berlin's example and prioritize Kyiv's urgent needs, even if it means giving up some of their own reserves.
“If you have doubts, decide in favor of Ukraine,” Pistorius conveyed.
Germany will also increase deliveries of AIM-9 air-to-air missiles, continue to provide IRIS-T systems, and support the "City Dome" project aimed at protecting Ukrainian cities from Russian drones and missiles.
A war that could last for years
Elbridge Colby, responsible for defense policy in the American administration, warned that Russia is rebuilding its forces and military industry capacity. Allies must prepare for a "prolonged conflict," and Ukraine will need support in the months and years ahead.
Washington believes that European states must take on more responsibility for defending the continent. "Support for Ukraine contributes to Europe's security. Words are not enough. Real money and industrial capabilities must be put to work," Colby stated.
Britain has announced a £100 million package to accelerate deliveries of anti-aircraft defense equipment before winter. Aid will be provided through the NATO PURL mechanism, through which allies purchase American weapons for Ukraine.
London has committed to delivering over 120,000 drones this year. More than 25,000 have already arrived in Ukraine, with several thousand more expected to be sent before winter.
A €23 billion funding shortfall
Kyiv estimates that its defense funding needs are short by approximately €23 billion. A large part of the money is required to sustain drone deliveries until the beginning of 2027.
Minister Kmara argues that drones contribute up to 90% of Ukraine's battlefield results and has asked allies to make the necessary financial decisions by November.
Separately, of the 70 billion euros pledged by partners at the Ankara summit, approximately 62 billion have been committed so far. Therefore, an additional eight billion euros need to be found to meet the goal set at that time.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has called on states to increase support, warning that delays have direct consequences on the population.
“Delays simply cost human lives,” Rutte said. According to the NATO statement, the number of civilians killed in Ukraine has reached its highest level since May 2022.
NATO's chief also highlighted changes in Russia's arsenal, which increasingly includes North Korean missiles and jet engine-propelled drones.
Kyiv says Russia is preparing another 300,000 soldiers
According to information presented by Ukrainian officials, Russia is reportedly preparing to mobilize around 300,000 people in addition to the ongoing recruitment efforts. The reinforcement of Russian forces is expected to continue into 2027.
The claim has not been independently confirmed.
Kyiv hopes to offset Russia's numerical advantage through technology and increased reaction speed. “Our response is smart technology and speed,” said the Ukrainian Defense Minister.
He maintains that the Ukrainian army has created a zone with drones where the advance of Russian forces is slowed, and the losses they incur would exceed 30,000 people per month. These figures cannot be independently verified.
"Ukraine is in a race against time"
Winter preparedness was one of the central themes of the meeting. Boris Pistorius warned that Russia is attempting to destroy Ukraine's economic base and critical infrastructure through attacks on ports, power plants, and other civilian targets, as its troop advance on the front is slow.
The German minister expects bombings to intensify as temperatures drop. “Ukraine is in a race against time. Its winter preparedness is an absolute priority and requires us to act decisively and immediately,” Pistorius said.