Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued an urgent appeal for increased US support, revealing that his country currently possesses only one-tenth of the interceptor missiles required to defend against intensifying Russian ballistic missile strikes. In an interview with, Zelensky described his daily routine as a relentless cycle of “millions” of phone calls and private negotiations aimed at securing the necessary defense systems.
The surge in Russian ballistic attacks, which have heavily targeted Kyiv, has been exacerbated by Ukraine’s depleted Patriot interceptor reserves. Zelensky noted that while 10% of the current US stockpile would be sufficient to neutralize all incoming Russian ballistic threats, securing just 5% would be enough to protect Ukrainian civilians throughout the winter months. He emphasized the severity of the decline, stating, “This year we have two and a half times less interceptors than we had in 2025,” while noting that Russia is now launching twice as many ballistic missiles per month as it did previously.
The impact of these strikes has been devastating, with the United Nations reporting that July was the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since April 2022. Zelensky described the nightly reality of massive rocket assaults, acknowledging that while the Ukrainian people remain resilient, they are increasingly exhausted by the constant bombardment. He currently possesses only 1% of the required interceptors, a situation he described as one of his most significant challenges since the war began.
Global shortages of these missiles have been compounded by high demand elsewhere, including US operations against Iranian missile and drone threats. To bridge this gap, Zelensky is engaged in discreet, high-stakes deal-making. “This is what I live each day: from 1% to 5%. I have some months, and million phone calls … I try to exchange something to missiles … I do some things which I can’t even share,” he explained, maintaining that his efforts remain within legal bounds.
Efforts to bolster domestic production remain uncertain. Although President Donald Trump previously suggested granting Ukraine a license to manufacture its own Patriot interceptors during the NATO Ankara summit, he later expressed doubt regarding the proposal. While manufacturers have sent officials to Kyiv to discuss the logistics, concrete progress has yet to materialize. Zelensky remains hopeful but stressed that he has not yet received the necessary commitments.
Regarding diplomatic efforts, Zelensky confirmed a recent phone call with Vice President JD Vance but declined to comment on reports that the US requested a halt to Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil ports. He also addressed the stalled peace process, calling for greater American involvement. He argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no intention of ending the conflict, noting that there is currently insufficient pressure on the Kremlin to stop.
Zelensky rejected any notion of ceding the remaining Donbass territory, emphasizing that security guarantees are non-negotiable. He warned that Putin’s ambitions extend beyond Ukraine, suggesting that the Russian leader may eventually target smaller NATO nations. “He doesn’t know how to end this war without big occupation or big victory for his society,” Zelensky said. “He wants quick victory, 100% sure that he will win, occupy or destroy or control.” The report also notes that we will go through the winter and save people’s lives, he added that if the US “sell us 5%. The report also notes that “I don’t have now 5% and I don’t have such an acceptance. The report also notes that through calls, messages and indirectly through allies, to boost their Patriot assistance, zelensky said he was beseeching the White House directly. The report also notes that hitting the capital Kyiv particularly hard, as Moscow exploits Ukraine’s near-zero stocks of Patriot interceptor missiles, russian ballistic attacks have risen fast in recent weeks. The report also notes that very heroic, very resilient people really. The report also notes that where the US and Gulf states used dozens to tackle Iranian missile and low-cost drone attacks, there is a global shortage of the missiles due to the US war with Iran. The report also notes that where cities some nights appear defenseless to Moscow’s rocket assaults, the shortage is costing Ukraine most acutely. The report also notes that that involved deal-making he preferred to keep private, zelensky gave a rare window into his personal efforts daily to secure more interceptors.