Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has announced progress in securing air defence interceptor missiles from foreign partners to protect the country against Russian ballistic strikes.
Speaking at a fundraising event for the state platform United24, Sybiha confirmed that Kyiv is conducting intensive diplomatic work to obtain critical air defence systems and energy equipment ahead of the upcoming winter.
Ukraine is actively engaging with nations known to possess compatible air defence capabilities, with efforts focused primarily on acquiring PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptor missiles for American-made Patriot systems.
The Patriot complex is among the few Western air defence systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, and Ukrainian forces currently face a severe deficit of ammunition for the platforms.
Sybiha said that securing the interceptors was very difficult and that Ukraine was literally fighting for every single missile. However, he expressed confidence that progress is being made, noting that international partners are listening and that Kyiv has received initial positive signals.
Winter defence requirements
Ukraine requires a minimum of 300 interceptor missiles to safeguard its population and infrastructure through the 2026-2027 winter, according to figures presented by the minister.
Sybiha said the detailed statistics and mathematical requirements for surviving the winter months have already been conveyed to partner nations.
The foreign minister emphasized that Ukraine's defense directly impacts the broader continent, stating that the war is about protecting Europe and that Ukraine's security is inextricably linked to the security of its allies.
The minister's statement comes after a spokesperson for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine acknowledged on August 12 that the military had no Patriot missiles left.
Patriot air defence capabilities
The MIM-104 Patriot system, manufactured in the United States by Raytheon, serves as a primary defense against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced aircraft. The PAC-2 variant relies on proximity-fused blast-fragmentation warheads, while the PAC-3 uses kinetic hit-to-kill technology designed to destroy incoming ballistic warheads on impact.
United24 was established as Ukraine's official fundraising initiative to collect international financial contributions for defense, medical assistance, and infrastructure restoration. Russian forces have systematically targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure during winter months, making air defense interceptors vital for maintaining power and heating networks.
