President Zelensky of Ukraine has requested NATO to provide at least 7 more Patriot air defense complexes to help protect the country from the ongoing attacks by Russia. In a televised speech at the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting on April 19, Zelensky stated that Russia has already launched nearly 10,000 missiles and guided bombs into Ukraine over the past few months.
Zelensky highlighted that Russia has deployed a significant number of missiles of various types, guided glide bombs, and suicide drones to attack Ukraine. The President described the current aid being provided to Ukraine as “very limited” and emphasized the urgency of the situation. He mentioned an incident involving Israel’s efforts to block Iran’s airstrike with over 300 missiles and UAVs on April 13.
During the closed-door NATO-Ukraine Council meeting, Zelensky stressed the need to stop Russian aggression and restore safety in Ukrainian skies. He urged NATO to make a decisive choice in supporting Ukraine and becoming true allies. Following the meeting, NATO Secretary General Jen Stoltenberg announced that member countries had agreed to provide additional aid in the form of air defense systems.
While specific commitments were not disclosed, Stoltenberg mentioned the potential provision of Patriot missiles and other defense systems to Ukraine. The Ukrainian military currently operates a limited number of Patriot complexes, along with short- and medium-range Western air defense systems. However, ammunition shortages have compromised the country’s air defense capabilities and allowed Russian attacks to have a higher success rate. Zelensky previously stated that Ukraine needs 25 Patriot systems to fully protect its airspace.
As Western experts warn of the dire situation facing Ukraine’s air defense networks, the country continues to seek additional support to counter Russian aggression. With the possibility of further aid announcements in the near future, the focus remains on strengthening Ukraine’s defenses against ongoing threats in the region.