Zelensky: l'Ucraina ha ricevuto 24 missili intercettori Patriot in 90 giorni, ma ne servono 350 al mese

Perché è importante

La scarsità di intercettori riduce la capacità dell'Ucraina di contrastare gli attacchi balistici russi. Nella notte del 22 ottobre la Russia ha lanciato oltre 20 missili balistici sull'Ucraina, mentre 21 ракети were directed at Kyiv and none were intercepted. CNN reported earlier, citing a knowledgeable source, that Ukraine had exhausted its Patriot interceptor stocks and that almost all ballistic missiles in the 14 October strike went unhit because of a shortage of interceptors. Zelensky warned that reduced American deliveries could encourage Russia to intensify its ballistic attacks.

Che cosa è successo

Zelensky said in an ABC News interview that Ukraine had received 24 Patriot interceptor missiles from the United States over the past three months, or 90 days. He said the country needs an average of 350 Patriot interceptors per month to defend against ballistic attacks. In a Bloomberg interview, he said Ukraine is currently receiving 12 Patriot missiles per month, roughly a quarter of the level under the Biden administration, and compared this with the use of more than 2,000 Patriot missiles by the United States and Middle Eastern countries against Iranian targets during the first days of the war with Iran.

The statements came against the backdrop of a major Russian missile attack. On the night of 22 October, Russia launched more than 20 ballistic missiles at Ukraine, including 21 directed at Kyiv. Zelensky said air defences failed to intercept any of the missiles launched at the capital. On 15 October, CNN reported, citing a knowledgeable source, that Ukraine had exhausted its Patriot interceptor stocks, and almost all ballistic missiles in the 14 October strike had not been downed because of a shortage of interceptors.

Zelensky also said the United States was not signing off on missile deliveries largely funded by Europe, and that there were delays in supplying Ukraine with necessary resources at the US Department of Defence level. Ukrainian officials had previously said US defence secretary Pete Hegseth was refusing to approve deliveries of Patriot interceptors paid for by allies. Zelensky attributed the refusal to make supplies to President Donald Trump's choice to be friends with Vladimir Putin or not, but said he did not believe Putin had asked Trump to stop intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

Come la raccontano le fonti ucraine

Ukrainian sources focus on the shortage of Patriot interceptors, delays at the US Department of Defence and the consequences for countering ballistic missiles. Attention centres on Zelensky's specific comparison of Ukraine's needs with the current supply of 12 missiles per month and the reported use of Patriot systems by the United States and Middle Eastern countries in the war against Iran. Particular emphasis is placed on his warning that reduced American deliveries could lead Russia to intensify ballistic attacks on Ukraine.

Contesto

Zelensky said Ukraine's current supply of 12 Patriot missiles per month is roughly four times lower than under the Biden administration. He compared this with the United States and Middle Eastern countries using more than 2,000 Patriot missiles against Iranian targets during the first days of the war against Iran. While expressing concern about reduced American assistance, Zelensky said he did not feel betrayed by the United States and thanked it for its partnership in countering Russian aggression.