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Ukraine has received an initial shipment of Patriot and “AIM” missiles following recent meetings held in the Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) and Coalition of the Willing formats, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on August 25.
“To be honest, some Patriot missiles have also arrived. I cannot say how many, but some. We need more,” Zelenskyy said during a joint press conference with Estonian President Alar Karis in Kyiv on Aug. 25.
Zelenskyy did not specify which type of Patriot missiles Ukraine had received. The American-made system can be equipped with three types of missiles: PAC-2, PAC-3 CRI and PAC-3 MSE.
PAC-2 missiles are designed primarily to engage warplanes and cruise missiles, while the PAC-3 CRI and PAC-3 MSE variants are capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.
The Patriot missiles likely came from the United States. Earlier this month, Zelenskyy said Ukraine has an agreement with Washington on monthly deliveries of such missiles, but claimed that the quantities are insufficient to meet the country’s air defense needs.
Meanwhile, American-made AIM-series anti-aircraft missiles can be launched from both F-16 fighter jets and NASAMS ground-based air defense systems. Ukrainian forces employ three variants — the AIM-9 Sidewinder, the AIM-120 AMRAAM and the AIM-7 Sparrow. Zelenskyy did not reveal which type was delivered.
The Ukrainian president also said Kyiv has received confirmation that additional Crotale air defense systems, along with missiles for them, will be delivered.
The Crotale NG is a French-made short-range air defense system built to engage aerial targets like drones at low and very low altitudes. France has previously supplied Ukraine with two Crotale systems, and is most likely behind the latest delivery as well.
These deliveries follow a series of diplomatic engagements in the NB8 and Coalition of the Willing formats, though Zelenskyy did not detail the outcomes of those discussions.
Ukraine has been facing a serious shortage of air defenses, especially Patriot PAC-3 CRI and PAC-3 MSE interceptors capable of stopping ballistic missiles. The crisis is the result of a wider shortage that has crippled air defenses in the West since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran more than five months ago.
Despite Zelenskyy’s recent claims of some fresh deliveries, the last few days saw an increase in Russian strikes on Ukraine. Moscow launched large combined attacks with ballistic and cruise missiles plus drones, hitting Kyiv and other regions very hard.
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why did russia allow them to land? is she crazy?!
zelenski should be overjoyed. he probably might receive a few. which would be the entire us 2026 production that is not diverted to israel. i look forward to the video proof of russian hunting results. for fun, israeli settlers are out protesting gaza aid trucks again today. none enter.
patriot missile production is ramping up in nato countries and despite the fact that the demand is high they provide a vital shield for ukranian cities while russia slowly grinds its army on the battlefield. this war is a one in a generation unique opportunity for nato when the army of an adversary country is annihilated while not losing a single soldier