Ukraine to hold talks on Patriot missile supplies, defence minister says

Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has stated he will hold a series of talks with counterparts from countries that have Patriot interceptor missiles in stock, as Kyiv seeks to strengthen its air defences.

In a post on Telegram, Fedorov said Russia has significantly increased its use of ballistic missiles in recent attacks on Kyiv, exploiting what he described as an acute shortage of Patriot missiles, Caliber.Az reports.

"Following the president's conversations with European leaders, I will today hold a series of talks with fellow defence ministers from countries that have Patriot missiles in their stockpiles," he wrote.

Fedorov noted that Ukraine has already signed, and continues to sign, contracts for future deliveries of Patriot missiles, with supplies expected to begin next year.

"Our appeal to our partners is to transfer missiles from their existing stockpiles now and replenish them later with our future deliveries," he added.

According to the minister, temporarily allocating the missiles from partners' inventories would save many lives in Ukraine.

"These missiles are needed in Ukraine's air defence system now. Our task is to provide Ukraine with additional Patriot missiles as quickly as possible. The protection of Ukraine's skies and the lives of our people depend on it," he emphasised.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov