President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke at a press conference following talks with Estonian President Alar Karis, explaining that Kyiv cannot obtain the full number of US‑made Patriot air defense systems immediately because they remain in a delivery queue.
Without the Patriots, Zelensky noted, achieving a 100 percent target would be extraordinarily challenging. The task is not merely to hit, but to hit every time. The Patriot system and its missiles pose a significant hurdle, and the challenge is substantial for the entire integrated air defense complex, he added.
He also indicated that a coalition to transfer Patriot systems to Ukraine is being formed. Zelensky voiced support for the idea the day before at the European Political Community summit in Moldova. He said the matter had been discussed with leaders from Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the European Union. He observed that some countries without Patriot systems were interested in joining the coalition, while others were still seeking ways to contribute.
“This matters a lot because some partners have different capabilities and others have unique political or financial leverage,” Zelensky noted.
own production
Additionally, Zelensky reported that during a meeting at the Supreme Commander’s headquarters the topic of Ukraine’s own missile production was on the table. He explained that all aspects of air defense, development, and the supply and manufacture of necessary missiles within Ukraine were discussed. The Ukrainian air shield should be continuously equipped with the essentials, he stated.
He did not specify timing or volumes for any domestic production. It is recalled that during the Soviet era the Ukrainian SSR hosted facilities for rocket production. For example, at the Southern Machine-Building Plant in Dnepropetrovsk, combat ballistic missiles R‑12 and R‑14, capable of carrying nuclear charges, were produced.
How many Patriots are there in Ukraine?
The United States pledged Patriot systems to Ukraine in December 2022 after Zelensky’s visit to Washington. Kyiv described the decision as a psychological turning point that opened doors for discussions with other nations about procurement. To date, Ukraine has two Patriot batteries provided by the United States and Germany, with a third system anticipated from the United States. The Netherlands pledged two additional launchers to Kyiv.
A Patriot battery typically comprises PAC‑2 or PAC‑3 missiles, an AN/MPQ‑65 radar, usually five to eight launchers, an AN/MSQ‑104 command center, a communications complex, an EPP‑III power source, and missiles. The staff complement ranges from seventy to ninety personnel.
Patriot vs Dagger
On May 19 a report from Military Watch Magazine claimed that the Patriot system fired thirty‑two missiles in an attempt to intercept a Russian Kinzhal hypersonic missile, with the total launch cost around ninety‑six million dollars. In response, Moscow asserted that five Patriot launchers were destroyed in an attack on May 17, according to its defense ministry statement. The ministry also claimed that on May 16 a multifunction radar station and five US launchers were hit and rendered inoperable in Kyiv. CNN later cited sources indicating only minor Patriot damage with possible repair on Ukrainian soil. On May 30 the Russian defense chief, Sergei Shoigu, said a launcher had been destroyed in a conference call.
“Dagger” modification X‑55
On May 9 the Pentagon announced that Ukrainian forces shot down the Dagger with Patriot assistance. A Bild photographer circulated images of debris from a successful interception, and Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko appeared in related footage. When asked if this was the first time the Ukrainian Armed Forces had downed a Kinzhal, an official confirmed it happened.
Later, a senior official at the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the Dagger Patriot interception would not be feasible, describing it as wishful thinking. He argued that the Dagger’s speed exceeds the anti‑aircraft systems’ designed operational limits, including those of the Patriot. He also noted that the Dagger’s maneuvering and nearly vertical approach complicate interception by air defense systems.