A senior White House communications official explained in a CNN interview that the Patriot air defense system is not a reliable countermeasure against Russian cruise missiles. The statement emphasized that Patriot’s design targets ballistic missiles and may not deliver strong performance against cruise missiles or drones in many scenarios.
The official also highlighted the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ current constraints in stopping hypersonic missiles, outlining the broader challenge of defending against a rapidly advancing aerial threat landscape.
Meanwhile, on March 8, a U.S. Army procurement and equipment leader signaled that Patriot batteries could begin operations in Ukraine in the near term, representing a potential expansion of American defensive assets in the region.
Separately, Polish defense leadership discussed Patriot air defense capabilities in communications with international media, noting ongoing considerations about how these systems could be integrated within allied defense postures.
Earlier, Ukrainian defense leadership reported that troops remain on duty and continued to seek enhanced air defense options, including American Patriot systems, as part of a broader push to strengthen frontline resilience against air-based threats.