Overview
- Zelenskyy said he plans to place a major order for U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems, cited as 27 in The Guardian interview, while the Associated Press reported he said 25.
- He urged European countries to loan Ukraine their existing Patriot batteries so they can be deployed now rather than waiting years for new production.
- Germany recently delivered additional Patriot systems to Ukraine, with Zelenskyy previously confirming two deliveries from Berlin.
- Ukraine’s Energy Ministry reported fresh damage to the power grid and scheduled blackouts across most regions as Russia escalates drone and missile attacks on substations and plants.
- Allies have declined requests to patrol Ukrainian airspace with fighter jets, and Zelenskyy cautioned that pressing for troop deployments risks eroding financial and military support.