Zelensky seeks US Patriot interceptors as Russian strikes hit Izmail port

President Volodymyr Zelensky has formally requested between five and 10 percent of United States Patriot interceptor stocks to bolster Ukraine’s air defence capabilities ahead of the winter. Speaking to CNN, Zelensky highlighted a critical disparity in defence resources, noting that Ukraine currently possesses two-and-a-half times fewer interceptors than it did in 2025, while Russia has doubled its monthly output of ballistic missiles.

The appeal for additional interceptors comes amid intensified Russian strikes, including an overnight attack on the area surrounding Izmail, Ukraine’s largest Danube port. Regional authorities confirmed that the strike caused infrastructure damage and triggered fires in the southern Odesa region, near the Romanian border. The port is a vital hub for grain and commodity exports, with the attack occurring just a day after Ukrainian forces targeted Novorossiysk, a major Russian grain export centre.

In response to the escalation, Romania scrambled two fighter jets after an aerial target spent approximately 10 minutes in its airspace before proceeding towards Ukraine, the Romanian defence ministry stated. Meanwhile, Moscow reported downing 362 Ukrainian drones overnight. A separate drone attack in the Russian republic of Bashkortostan triggered a blaze at an industrial area in Salavat, near a large oil refinery. Online retailer Wildberries confirmed that no goods were stored at the facility, which has been targeted in a series of drone attacks since mid-July.

Zelensky emphasised that securing five percent of US interceptor stocks would allow Ukraine to survive the winter and save lives, while a ten percent allocation would enable the destruction of all Russian ballistic projectiles. The shortage of interceptors has been acute since the United States and Israel engaged in conflict with Iran in February, which diverted supplies of the advanced defence systems. Ballistic missiles present a distinct challenge to current air defence networks due to their higher speed and steep trajectories compared to cruise missiles or drones.

Despite the intensifying combat, financial support for Kyiv has seen a significant surge. Data from the Kiel Institute showed that military aid for Ukraine reached 7.2 billion euros in June, the highest monthly total since April 2024. This increase was largely driven by the European Union’s new Ukraine Support Loan, which facilitated 4.3 billion euros in aid. Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands also contributed substantial sums, reinforcing institutional backing even as long-term support mechanisms remain under scrutiny.