Ukraine will receive fewer Patriot air defence missiles in 2026 than in 2025, presidential administration head Kyrylo Budanov has warned.
Speaking to Italian newspaper La Stampa, Budanov said deliveries of the surface-to-air missiles remain regular but are insufficient to match the pace of Russian strikes.
He declined to reveal exact figures to avoid aiding Russian forces or compromising partner relationships. However, he stressed that Patriot systems are the only weapons capable of neutralizing ballistic missiles.
Budanov acknowledged that extra missile supplies would not change the overall course of the war, but said intercepted missiles increase the conflict's economic cost for the Kremlin.
The American-manufactured Patriot system is an advanced surface-to-air missile defence shield designed to intercept incoming tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft. Kyiv relies heavily on Western air defence networks to protect cities and infrastructure against long-range Russian bombardment.
Four key priorities for Kyiv
Budanov, who heads the administration of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, outlined four critical priorities currently facing Kyiv.
The first priority is ammunition for air defence systems. Budanov explained that every intercepted ballistic missile preserves a home, keeps a school intact, and saves human lives.
The second requirement is joint defense production with international partners. Kyiv currently produces more than half of its own military supplies, but requires new licenses, technologies, and joint ventures to eliminate dependence on foreign political cycles.
Predictable funding forms the third priority to allow the military to plan operations. The fourth priority involves securing shipping lanes across the Black Sea, an issue affecting international trade beyond Ukraine.
Russian strikes on Black Sea ports
Budanov said Russia has waged a systematic campaign since July against Ukrainian ports in Odesa, Chornomorsk, Pivdennyi, and along the Danube River.
The campaign aims to halt Ukrainian grain exports, cutting state revenue and depriving the military of resources. He noted that while Russia targets ports supplying food to Africa and the Middle East, Ukraine strikes the fleet bombarding its cities.
Describing the Black Sea as vital for global food security and Mediterranean maritime safety, Budanov urged Italy to assist with naval defense, insurance coverage, and corridor protection. He added that Italy, with its strong maritime traditions, is well placed to understand the necessity of safeguarding navigation without raising escalation risks.
He also called for continued supplies of ammunition for the SAMP/T air defence system, a European surface-to-air platform developed jointly by France and Italy. Additionally, he proposed joint drone manufacturing combining Italian industrial capacity with Ukrainian battlefield experience.
Wider defense aid commitments
Separate statements from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reported by Ukrainian news agency UNIAN, confirmed that a small batch of Patriot missiles recently arrived in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy declined to give exact numbers, stating Ukraine needs significantly more than was received. He added that Lithuania and Finland delivered defense packages in recent days, while Norway confirmed 9 billion in funding for Ukraine for 2027.
An unnamed nation also confirmed the delivery of several French-made Crotale air defence systems and missiles. Furthermore, Britain and France reached a political decision regarding the manufacture of long-range SCALP cruise missiles, with technical teams preparing to set a production calendar. Zelenskyy stated that a schedule for FREYJA would be established within seven to ten days to resolve supply bottlenecks.
