Ukraine urges U.S. for Patriot missiles as Sweden pledges 36 Gripen jets
Ukraine secures urgent U.S. air defense reinforcements as Russia escalates missile strikes, while Sweden finalizes a landmark deal to deliver 36 Gripen fighter jets within months.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has made an unusually direct appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump and Congress, warning that Ukraine’s air defenses are “falling dangerously short” as Russian ballistic missile attacks intensify. In a letter obtained by *The Associated Press*, Zelensky specifically requested Patriot PAC-3 missiles and additional air defense systems, citing a critical shortage of interceptors to counter Russia’s escalating campaign. Kyiv’s envoy to Washington confirmed the urgency, stating that Patriot systems are “critical” to protecting Ukrainian cities from sustained missile barrages .
The plea comes as Ukraine’s General Staff reports 61 Russian attacks along the front line since morning, with the Pokrovsk and Huliaipole sectors facing the heaviest assaults. Officials describe the situation as “volatile,” with Russian forces prioritizing missile and drone strikes to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses .
In a parallel development, Sweden has agreed to supply Ukraine with 36 Gripen fighter jets—16 donated older models and 20 newly purchased aircraft—in a deal finalized during Zelensky’s visit to Uppsala. The first jets are expected to arrive within 10 months, with Ukrainian pilots already in training. Zelensky hailed the agreement as a “major step” in bolstering Ukraine’s long-term air defense capabilities, though he emphasized that immediate needs remain focused on missile interceptors .
The dual-track strategy—urgent U.S. air defense aid and long-term Swedish fighter procurement—reflects Ukraine’s efforts to counter both Russia’s current missile offensive and its anticipated future air superiority challenges. Analysts note that while the Gripens will eventually enhance Ukraine’s ability to intercept cruise missiles and drones, the immediate priority remains replenishing depleted Patriot and other Western-supplied missile stocks .
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Ukraine to buy up to 20 latest model Gripen jet fighters, Sweden to donate 16 Ukraine is largely reliant on its Western allies to down Russian missile barrages, despite having pioneered a system for intercepting long-range drones that is the envy of some of the worlds most advanced militaries.
euronews · about 3 hours ago
War update: 61 clashes on front line since morning, Pokrovsk and Huliaipole sectors hottest Russian occupation forces had launched 61 attacks on the positions of Ukraines Defense Forces as of 16:00, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
ukrinform · about 3 hours ago
Presidents Office explains details of Swedish Gripen fighter jets deal In Uppsala, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson have initiated the conclusion of a major defense deal providing for the procurement of Swedish Gripen fighter jets.
ukrinform · about 3 hours ago
Zelenskyj tackar Sverige för Gripen – köper 20 plan UPPSALA. Sverige skänker 16 äldre modeller av Jas Gripen till Ukraina. Samtidigt köper Ukraina 20 nya Gripen. – Tack Sverige, säger president Volodymyr Zelenskyj på en presskonferens i Uppsala.
dagens nyheter · about 3 hours ago
Zelensky arrives in Sweden, announces upcoming decisions regarding Gripen fighter jets President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Sweden. The key topics of the visit will be a major defense package for Ukraine and decisions concerning Gripen fighter aircraft.
ukrinform · about 4 hours ago
Kyivs Envoy Says Patriot Missiles Are Critical As Zelenskyy Appeals To Trump Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued an unusually direct appeal to President Donald Trump and the US Congress, warning that Ukraine urgently needs additional Patriot missile systems as Russia intensifies ballistic missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
radio free europe · about 4 hours ago
Ukraine to buy 20 new Gripen jets, Sweden to donate older jets sooner
news.yahoo.com · about 5 hours ago
Expert: Ukraine has turned Black Sea into trap for Russian Navy Ukrainian naval drones and strikes against the Russian Black Sea Fleet are effectively reshaping the worlds perception of modern naval warfare. Following Ukraines operations, major navies can no longer feel invulnerable, even at their own bases.
ukrinform · about 5 hours ago
Kyivs Envoy Says Patriots Are Critical As Zelenskyy Makes Rare Appeal To Trump And US Congress Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued an unusually direct appeal to President Donald Trump and the US Congress, warning that Ukraine urgently needs additional Patriot missile systems as Russia intensifies ballistic missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
radio free europe · about 5 hours ago
Zelensky: Ukraine could receive its first Gripen jets within 10 months President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine will be able to receive its first Gripen fighter jets in 10 months. According to him, the pilots have already begun training.
ukrinform · about 5 hours ago
Zelensky says Ukraine needs US antiballistic missiles Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged US President Donald Trump and the Congress to supply Patriot PAC-3 missiles and additional air defence systems to protect against Russian ballistic missiles in a letter obtained by The Associated Press, warning that deliveries are falling dangerously short as Russia escalates its missile campaign.
france24 · about 6 hours ago
Ukraine asks Trump for more US air defence help against Russian missile attacks Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has written to US President Donald Trump and Congress asking for more American-made air defence ammunition to counter intensifying Russian ballistic missile attacks, Kyiv said Wednesday. The move came after a recent escalation in aerial attacks by both sides in the more than four-year war that followed Russias all-out invasion of its neighbor. FRANCE 24s International Affairs Commentator Douglas Herbert tells us more.
france24 · about 6 hours ago