Zelensky says Ukraine received only 24 interceptors from US in three months

Critical shortage of air defence systems

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released data on the state of air defence system deliveries from Washington. According to him, over the past three months, Ukraine has received only 24 interceptor missiles from the United States of America.

This information was shared during an interview with the American television channel ABC News, where the head of state detailed the issue of supplying air defence systems to Ukrainian forces.

Comparison with the situation in the Middle East

Zelensky drew a parallel with events in the Middle East. He emphasised that in the first 48 hours of the war in that region, participating countries used approximately 2,000 missiles received from their partners.

«У перші 48 годин війни на Близькому Сході країни використали близько 2000 ракет, отриманих від партнерів. Я отримав від нашого стратегічного партнера 24 ракети за останні 90 днів» (In the first 48 hours of the war in the Middle East, countries used about 2,000 missiles received from partners. I received 24 missiles from our strategic partner in the last 90 days), the president emphasised.

Restrictions on weapons transfer from Europe

In addition to the small volumes of direct aid, Zelensky drew attention to another aspect. He stated that the United States has not granted permission for the transfer of interceptor missiles from European countries to Ukraine.

According to the head of state, this position by Washington limits Kyiv's ability to replenish its stockpiles of air defence systems.