Ukraine inspect U.S. made Patriot air defence system deployed nrear Kyiv [Image by AP ]
(The Post News) – Ukraine received more US-made Patriot air defence systems to reinforce its defences against Russia’s daily missile and drone attacks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced late Sunday. The news came hours after a Russian drone strike killed a man and injured five members of his family – including two children – in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region.
“More Patriots are now in Ukraine and being put into operation,” Zelenskyy said via social media. “Of course, more systems are needed to protect key infrastructure sites and our cities across the entire territory of our state.”
The Patriot systems-made only in the United States-are the most advanced defence weapons against ballistic and cruise missiles launched by Russia. Zelenskyy thanked Germany and its Chancellor Friedrich Merz for providing the most modern systems. Berlin confirmed three months ago that it would send two more Patriots after securing assurances from Washington that new replacements would be prioritized for Germany’s own defences.
NATO Coordination and U.S. Policy Shift
NATO continues to coordinate regular deliveries of major weapons systems to Ukraine, with European allies and Canada buying much of the hardware from the U.S. But the Trump administration has parted ways with its predecessor in refusing to supply arms directly to Ukraine.
Speaking with reporters on Air Force One Sunday, President Donald Trump said he was “not really” considering a deal allowing Ukraine access to Tomahawk missiles, which have a range of as much as 2,500 kilometres-sufficient to strike deep inside Russia. Trump added that he could “change his mind,” but reiterated his reluctance to escalate the war.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed the issue is “under review,” adding that it remains “a U.S. decision.”
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 12 missiles and 138 drones, including both strike and decoy types, from Sunday night into Monday. There have been nights when hundreds of aerial weapons have been fired by Russia in efforts to overwhelm Ukrainian defences.
In Sumy, Russian drones hit a house, killing one man and wounding five of his relatives. “The Russians cynically targeted people, deliberately, at night, while they were sleeping,” regional head Oleh Hryhorov said on Telegram.
Elsewhere, Russian missiles set fire to a business in the Dnipro region, injuring one man. Strikes on the Mykolaiv region damaged energy infrastructure.
Ukraine Strikes Back
Even as it defends against Russian barrages, Ukraine is continuing to strike at Russia’s oil industry, a foundation of Moscow’s wartime economy. Ukrainian forces hit the Saratov oil refinery overnight, causing a fire, the fourth attack on the facility in less than two months, according to Ukraine’s general staff.
The refinery, located about 500 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, processes several million metric tons of oil annually. Zelenskyy claimed last week that Ukraine’s long-range drone strikes have cut Russia’s oil refining capacity by 20%. Yet Ukraine’s leadership continues to insist that far more is needed. “Every additional Patriot saves lives,” Zelenskyy said. “We will continue working with our partners to close the skies over Ukraine.”
About the Author
