Russian Attacks Intensify, Zelensky Asks Trump for 10% of US Stockpiles: We Would Destroy Moscow’s Ballistic Missiles

Facing a significant increase in Russian ballistic missile strikes on Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has directly asked the United States to provide his country with more Patriot interceptor missiles.

In an interview with CNN from Kyiv, the Ukrainian head of state said Ukraine’s current capabilities represent only a tiny fraction of what is needed to defend against Russia’s attacks.

Zelensky argued that the sale of 5% of US Patriot missile stockpiles would help Kyiv make it through the winter and save lives. According to him, if that amount reached 10%, Ukraine would be able to destroy all Russian ballistic missiles.

This year, Ukraine has had two and a half times fewer interceptor missiles available than in 2025, the Ukrainian president said. At the same time, Russia has significantly increased its use of ballistic missiles.

The situation is particularly difficult in Kyiv, where the relentless wave of strikes is putting Ukraine’s air defense system under pressure. Zelensky said attacks take place every night, with massive strikes carried out four or five times a month. He described them as terrible nights and said that citizens, although heroic and resilient, are now exhausted.

For several months, Zelensky has been making an intensive effort to secure additional interceptors through constant contact with allied countries. He described this as his daily reality—a process of moving from 1% to 5%, involving months of effort and millions of phone calls.

The Ukrainian president acknowledged that some of the efforts to find missiles cannot be made public. He said he had reached agreements and had also tried various forms of exchange to obtain the necessary systems. Meanwhile, there is still no clarity regarding the plan to produce Patriot missiles in Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump had said Ukraine would be given the opportunity to obtain a license to produce its own interceptors. However, he later expressed uncertainty about implementing the idea.

Zelensky described the issue as one of the greatest challenges facing his country, stressing that Ukraine currently has neither the 5% level nor approval to secure it.

In the CNN interview, he also addressed peace negotiations. According to Zelensky, a greater US role is needed, while Vladimir Putin has no genuine interest in ending the war. He said the Russian leader does not want to stop the conflict now and is not under sufficient pressure.

The Ukrainian head of state ruled out the possibility of Kyiv surrendering the remaining territories of Donbas demanded by Russia to Moscow. He insisted that any agreement must be backed by strong security guarantees.

Zelensky also raised the alarm over a broader threat, warning that Putin could try to test NATO’s unity by attacking one of the smaller Baltic states.

In the Ukrainian president’s assessment, Putin seeks a swift victory and may choose a smaller country to demonstrate his strength. Zelensky said the Russian leader is 100% convinced that he will win and intends to occupy, destroy or establish control.