Zelensky to Axios: Ukraine needs missile interceptors to head off winter disaster

Ukrainian President Zelensky told Axios that he's asked President Trump for an emergency package of Patriot air defense interceptors to protect the country through winter. Axios reports that Ukraine's interceptor stockpiles are nearly depleted, leaving the country unable to defend against Russian ballistic missiles—which couldn't stop recent attacks on Kyiv. Per Zelensky, without these interceptors by winter, Russian strikes could destroy Ukraine's power plants, cutting heating for millions and triggering a humanitarian crisis. Trump has agreed to pursue licenses allowing Ukraine to manufacture its own Patriot interceptors, but there's a catch: production would take one to five years, far too long. Zelensky is seeking three hundred interceptors by winter and emphasizes the urgency, saying Ukraine is exploring a faster alternative—converting its own ballistic missiles into anti-missile interceptors. Meanwhile, U.S. envoys are expected to visit Kyiv in the coming weeks to discuss restarting peace negotiations.

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