Zelensky Says US Is Delaying Paid-For Patriot Missile Deliveries to Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on 19 October that the US Department of Defense is delaying deliveries of weapons critical to Ukraine's defense, even though political agreements on them have already been reached. The accusation came on the day Russia's massive missile and drone attack had badly damaged Ukraine's power supply, which makes strengthening air defense especially pressing.

Kyiv's account

After the Russian strike, Zelensky convened a meeting on the situation in the regions, the restoration of energy infrastructure and air defense. He said several agreements with partners remain unfulfilled, and that the delay is at the level of the US Department of Defense. He instructed the defense minister, the foreign minister and representatives of the presidential office to urgently address the issue with partners.

The Kyiv Independent, citing a senior Ukrainian official and two military representatives, reports that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is holding up a large batch of Patriot interceptor missiles. An anonymous official told the outlet that the contracts are on Hegseth's desk but he is not signing them, and that Ukraine's allies have already paid for the missiles. Part of the weaponry is purchased under PURL, a NATO-coordinated initiative in which allied countries fund purchases of US-made weapons for Ukraine.

In an interview with Bloomberg on 18 October, Zelensky said Washington had approved delivery of only some of the missiles already paid for, and that the US currently supplies about 12 Patriot interceptors per month, significantly fewer than before. Ukrainian officials suspect the delays may be a tool of political pressure.

A US government representative dismissed these claims as untrue. A NATO representative said deliveries under PURL continue, including air defense equipment.

Starlink restrictions and attack aftermath

Zelensky also cited problems with the Starlink and Starshield satellite communication systems. In some front-line sectors they cut out when vehicles or drones travel at roughly 130–161 km/h, complicating logistics and the use of certain drones. Service has begun to be restored, but the problems are not fully resolved.

The overnight attack on 19 October hit 28 electrical substations and other energy facilities. Russia launched 16 ballistic missiles at Kyiv and its surroundings and more than 200 drones at various regions. Over half a million households lost power, and heating and water supply were disrupted in many places.

Zelensky also said partners gave no timely warning before the first wave of ballistic missiles, which Air Force representative Yuriy Ihnat confirmed. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that Washington had stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine.