Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated his urgent request for U.S.-manufactured Patriot missile interceptors following a severe Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv. The assault, which resulted in the deaths of at least 10 individuals and injuries to many more, underscores Ukraine’s precarious security situation.
In a video message shared on X, Zelenskyy emphasized the necessity of political support from international partners, stating, “The world has Patriot missiles. What matters now is for our partners to make the political decision to provide the necessary packages. The United States knows what we need. Europe knows what we need.” He reinforced the need for anti-ballistic missiles to actively protect civilians.
Zelenskyy’s call for more missile defenses comes amid concerns about Ukraine’s efforts to safeguard its population beyond air defenses. A former Ukrainian government official has highlighted serious issues with the country’s civilian protection measures and an ongoing bomb shelter investigation that has revealed significant deficiencies.
A former Ukrainian government spokesperson, Luliia Mendel, criticized the ongoing reliance on foreign support to address protection gaps within Ukraine, saying, “It’s not possible to keep begging for missiles all the time. This is not how one protects the population.” Mendel pointed out that many Ukrainians rely on makeshift protection measures, which leaves their safety largely to chance.
Amid these challenges, Ukraine and Finland launched the Civil Protection Shelter Coalition in May 2025 to support Ukraine’s defense strategy over the next decade. During its first meeting, members pledged over 22 million euros (about $25 million at the time) toward bomb shelter construction and upgrades.
Despite these efforts, deficiencies persist in many shelters. Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets reported that inspections of over 1,000 bomb shelters found issues in 93 percent of them. These ranged from being locked or flooded to inaccessible for individuals with disabilities.
Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi has ordered a national review of civil defense shelters following a major Russian missile strike, highlighting the inability of some citizens to find adequate protection. Kyiv has invested heavily in shelters since the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022, spending billions of hryvnias on construction and repair efforts.
Reports indicate that people often resort to unconventional sheltering methods, including using bathrooms or corridors, which provide minimal protection. Some individuals face challenges accessing shelters due to restrictive policies, such as being denied entry for having a pet.
In recent political developments, Zelenskyy asked former President Trump for an emergency shipment of about 300 Patriot interceptors, anticipating increased threats during winter months. The production of these interceptors domestically is estimated to require one to five years.
Luliia Mendel expressed skepticism regarding the effectiveness of obtaining these missiles, as Russia has intensified the use of guided bombs across various frontline regions. This presents a new dimension to the threat, challenging traditional missile defense systems.
The ongoing struggle to ensure comprehensive civilian protection has led Zelenskyy to warn of dire humanitarian conditions as winter approaches. Without significant improvements to the defense system, Ukraine faces a challenging situation. During a Fox News appearance, Zelenskyy disclosed Trump’s openness to granting production licenses for interceptors. However, Trump later clarified that no formal agreement was reached and deliberations were ongoing.
The complexity of sharing military technology poses risks, as highlighted by Trump’s caution that providing technology could potentially backfire if relations change.