Ukraine’s Patriot Missile Crisis: A Desperate Need Meets Political Hesitation
As Russia unleashes wave after wave of drones, cruise missiles, and — most dangerously — ballistic missiles, Ukraine’s leaders are sounding the alarm: they’re running out of Patriots. No, not soldiers — the U.S.-made Patriot missile defense systems that have been key to protecting the country from deadly Russian air assaults.
And this time, it’s not just about restocking. It’s about politics, priorities, and a shifting U.S. administration that’s a lot less willing to give away the goods.
“Ballistic Missiles Kill Civilians — Patriots Save Them”
Let’s talk facts. The biggest threat Ukraine faces isn’t those annoying drone swarms or even cruise missiles — it’s ballistic missiles. They’re fast. We’re talking several miles per second fast. And they hit like a freight train. Back in 2023 and 2024, they wiped out nearly half of Ukraine’s power infrastructure.
Already in 2025, these missiles have left a horrifying mark. On Palm Sunday, a Russian ballistic strike hit the city of Sumy, killing 35 civilians and injuring over 100. Just days earlier, 20 people — including nine kids — were killed in a playground attack in Kryvyi Rih. Ukraine’s defense intel confirmed both were Iskander missile attacks.
One Ukrainian intelligence official put it bluntly: “Each Iskander can kill hundreds of people. This is about human life. Having Patriots isn’t optional — it’s survival.”
Memorial Day Massacre: No Patriots, No Interceptions
Over Memorial Day weekend, Ukraine experienced one of the worst air attacks in recent months — and it exposed their growing vulnerability. Nine ballistic missiles were launched by Russia on Saturday night into Sunday. Not a single one was intercepted.
Two of those missiles were aimed right at Kyiv, a city supposedly protected by at least two Patriot units. Yet, without enough missiles to go around, those defenses were overwhelmed.
And the ballistic missiles weren’t alone. Russia also lobbed 900 drones and 65 cruise missiles, ramping up attacks after a quiet May. Ukraine’s air defenses managed to take out most of the drones and cruise missiles — but the ballistics got through.
So Why Not Just Send More Patriots?
That’s the million-dollar question. Or rather, the multi-billion-dollar one.
Ukrainian officials say they’ve been asking the Trump administration for more Patriot missiles and launchers — but the answer hasn’t been encouraging. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was blunt during a recent Senate hearing: “Frankly, we don’t have them.”
He said the U.S. is now “encouraging NATO allies” to chip in from their own stockpiles. The problem? “None of these countries want to give up their Patriot systems, either,” he admitted.
Trump’s Stance: No More Freebies
Back in the Biden era, the U.S. handed out Patriots to Ukraine as military aid. But things have changed.
This time around, the Trump administration seems more interested in selling weapons than donating them. As one senior Ukrainian official put it, “They think like businesspeople. If I give you something, you have to give me something in return.”
He added that while he doesn’t think the U.S. will block a purchase, Kyiv knows they’ll have to pay up. “We have to adapt to this,” he said.
The “PAC” Problem: Older Missiles, Weaker Protection
Germany has stepped up with promises to send Patriot systems to Ukraine — but there’s a catch. They’re sending their older PAC-2 models, which are less effective against ballistic missiles compared to the newer PAC-3s.
To make matters more complicated, a European diplomat noted that even the PAC-3s can’t reliably intercept Russia’s new Oreshnik missile, an intermediate ballistic system that made its debut in late 2024.
So even when Patriots arrive, there’s still the issue of whether they’ll work against these newer threats.
Allies Are Talking — But Still Not Acting
Behind the scenes, there’s been plenty of chatter among NATO officials. For weeks, European countries have been exploring ways to scrape together another Patriot system for Ukraine. But so far? No breakthrough.
One European official revealed how the conversations have gone: “We can give this one up, but then we want a new one for a cheaper price.” Classic negotiation — with lives on the line.
Another said the matter will likely come up again during Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s trip to NATO HQ in early June. There could even be an announcement about a new Patriot pledge — but don’t expect it to come from the U.S.
Why the U.S. Is Hesitant: Don’t Make Putin “Very Angry”
So, what’s the holdup? It’s not just about stockpiles or money. It’s also about optics and diplomacy.
One European diplomat close to the negotiations said the Trump administration is hesitant to make a big announcement about Patriot deliveries because they’re worried about the reaction from the Kremlin.
“They think if they announce a big Patriot deal with Ukraine, it might derail any hope of peace talks,” the official explained. “They’re very concerned about making Putin mad.”
But Ukrainian officials aren’t buying it. To them, talks won’t stop missiles — only more Patriots will.
Enter North Korea: Russia’s New Missile Supplier
Here’s a twist that should raise eyebrows: North Korea has reportedly supplied Russia with about 250 ballistic missiles since the fall of last year. According to Ukraine’s military intelligence, Russia used North Korean KN-23 missiles in six out of nine ballistic attacks in May alone — including that massive Memorial Day weekend strike.
It’s a chilling reminder that while Ukraine is struggling to source defensive systems, Russia is getting help from dictatorships.
Raytheon Can’t Build Them Fast Enough
One big piece of the puzzle is Raytheon, the U.S. defense giant that manufactures Patriot missiles. A European diplomat said the company is still working on expanding its production lines to meet soaring post-2022 demand.
Plus, the U.S. has its own worries. As the diplomat put it, “The U.S. needs to keep a certain amount for its own defense, in case of an attack from Iran or another adversary.”
It’s a balancing act — one that could leave Ukraine in the lurch.
Final Thoughts: Time Is Running Out
For Ukraine, this isn’t just about military hardware. It’s about whether cities live or die, whether children make it to school safely, and whether power stations can keep the lights on.
“We’re grateful to the Americans for the Patriots,” said one senior Ukrainian intelligence officer. “But it’s very far from enough — really, very far.”
So now the world waits: Will NATO step up? Will the U.S. change its mind? Or will Ukraine be forced to keep defending itself with one hand tied behind its back?
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