Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Monday his intention to request 25 Patriot air defense systems from the United States, as Ukraine grapples with relentless Russian aerial assaults that have plunged the nation into rolling blackouts on the cusp of winter. Zelenskyy acknowledged the high cost and lengthy production timeline for such a large order but suggested that European nations could temporarily transfer their existing systems to Ukraine while awaiting replacements. He emphasized the urgency, stating, “We would not like to wait.”
Russia’s intensified missile and drone strikes on Ukraine’s power grid have coincided with its military push to capture the eastern city of Pokrovsk. Despite recent deliveries of Patriot systems from Germany, Ukraine’s air defenses remain critically stretched, leaving vast territories vulnerable. The energy crisis has heightened concerns over heating and water supply during the harsh winter months.
NATO continues to coordinate large-scale weapons deliveries to Ukraine, with European allies and Canada procuring much of the equipment from the U.S. However, the Trump administration has not provided arms to Ukraine, a departure from the Biden administration’s policy.
Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have grown increasingly effective, employing hundreds of drones equipped with cameras for precision targeting. This year, Russia has shifted its strategy to strike local switchyards and substations rather than the centralized national grid. Ukraine’s Energy Ministry reported significant damage to power infrastructure, prompting scheduled blackouts across most regions and urging citizens to conserve electricity during peak hours.
Meanwhile, the battle for control of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region intensifies, with Zelenskyy noting that Russia has amassed 170,000 troops for a renewed offensive. While recent days have seen a relative lull in fighting, the Institute for the Study of War predicts an escalation as Russian forces reinforce their positions.