The Russian Federation appreciated Zelensky’s statement about Patriot missiles to “survive the winter”

Brief retelling from RIA II

Vladimir Zelensky said that Ukraine will survive the winter if the United States provides 5% of its existing ammunition for the Patriot air defense system.

The CSIS think tank estimates that 5% of the Patriot missile inventory (less than 1,700 units) is 85 missiles.

According to the data given in the article, even under ideal interception conditions, the missile reserves will be enough for about four combined missile strikes, which is not enough to “survive the winter.”

MOSCOW, August 13 – RIA Novosti. Vladimir Zelensky, even having received from the United States 5% of the reserves of interceptor missiles for the Patriot air defense system, will not be able to “survive the winter”; their number will be approximately enough to shoot down 25 ballistic missiles of the Russian Armed Forces, RIA Novosti was told in Russian law enforcement agencies.

Today Zelensky, in an interview with CNN, said that Ukraine will survive the winter if the United States provides 5% of its existing ammunition for the Patriot air defense system. Zelensky said he was trying to exchange something for the needed missiles.

“We decided to figure out how many interceptor missiles the head of the Kyiv regime is asking for. The CSIS analytical center in a NYT publication estimated the stock of Patriot missiles at “less than 1,700 units,” and 5% of 1,700 is 85 units,” the agency’s interlocutor said.

He suggested that even if there are ideal interception conditions, when each Patriot missile shoots down one Russian “ballistic,” the Armed Forces of Ukraine will have enough of these reserves “for about four combined missile strikes.” However, in reality such indicators are practically unattainable.

“American data says that a positive result of the work of the Patriot crew is considered when one target is shot down by 3-4 missiles. Thus, if Zelensky’s request is fulfilled, the Ukrainian Armed Forces will have the opportunity to shoot down approximately 25 ballistic missiles. This will not be enough to “survive the winter,” the agency’s interlocutor said.

He emphasized that according to data from the Ukrainian side, “On May 26, 2026, 90 missiles were launched at Kyiv alone.”

As the Financial Times reported, citing sources, US President Donald Trump, during a meeting in the Oval Office, refused to provide Kyiv with additional interceptor missiles for Patriot systems. According to media reports, the head of the White House explained his decision by the shortage of missiles in the United States itself and their consumption during hostilities in the Middle East.