Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that Ukraine has waited nearly a month for US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to sign off on the delivery of Patriot and NASAMS missile interceptors, as Russia escalated attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure. Zelensky stated on X/Twitter that he instructed his team to raise the issue with the American side once again, while also pursuing alternative sources for the interceptors.
The Ukrainian leader emphasized the urgency of securing the missiles ahead of winter, noting that delays in deliveries have compounded existing tensions between Kyiv and Washington. Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged a batch of interceptors had not been delivered but stated the delay was not for political reasons.
Ukraine has also reported gaps in US intelligence sharing on Russian missile attacks in recent weeks, along with disruptions to the military-grade version of Starlink, which have impacted air defense operations.
US Officials Deny Policy Changes Amid Delays
A senior Pentagon official told multiple outlets that there had been no change to Department of Defense policy regarding intelligence sharing or the transfer of capabilities to Ukraine under the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative. The official confirmed that the PURL program, through which NATO allies and partners procure US defense articles for Ukraine, continues unaltered.
The official added that the US remains committed to enabling European allies to provide support to Kyiv, though the specific reasons for the delayed sign-off on the Patriot and NASAMS interceptors were not disclosed.
Ukraine’s Air Defense Crisis Deepens
The Patriot system is currently Ukraine’s most reliable defense against Russian ballistic missiles, which have been used extensively in recent weeks to target critical infrastructure. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly urged the US and European allies to increase deliveries of PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptors, citing global munitions shortages and the strain on existing stockpiles.
Analysts warn that Russia is exploiting Ukraine’s desperate shortage of Patriot interceptors to intensify strikes on energy facilities as winter approaches. The Patriot system is the only viable option for intercepting ballistic missiles, though Ukraine also operates other systems for cruise missiles and drones.
Broader Context: US-Ukraine Relations and Starlink Disruptions
Relations between the US and Ukraine have become increasingly strained, with Kyiv expressing frustration over temporary curbs to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service and its military-grade counterpart, Starshield. These disruptions have reportedly affected military operations and air defense coordination.
Additionally, US President Donald Trump has criticized Ukrainian leadership, including Zelensky, over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refineries, further complicating bilateral discussions on military support. Despite these tensions, Ukrainian officials continue to seek alternative sources for interceptors and engage with other countries to address the shortfall.