«Patriot stood empty»: Zelenskyy says missile delays left Ukraine one step from blackout

A few weeks earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country had faced a critical shortage of air defense missiles, raising the issue in an emotional address to Ukraine’s partners at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The president expanded on the situation while answering questions from journalists, saying that during large-scale Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector, «NASAMS systems stood empty, and the Patriot system stood empty.»

«Russian attacks on Kyiv’s thermal power plants — CHP-6, CHP-5 and CHP-4. And I know that the air defense units against ballistic strikes were empty. Simply empty. Just imagine this: ballistic missiles are flying towards our energy infrastructure, there is a Patriot system standing there, and I know there will be no electricity because there are no missiles for defense, ” the Head of State said.

At the same time, U.S.-made PAC-3 missiles, Zelenskyy said, were arriving «a day after we were almost plunged into blackout».

«I can publicly say that this was a slowdown. And why a day late? They should have arrived a month earlier. I know from our partners — intelligence partners — that ballistic missiles are coming. The partners know that I have an empty unit. NASAMS systems stood empty, and the Patriot system stood empty, ” the president stressed.

He also emphasised that the United States does not provide missiles to Ukraine free of charge, with European countries financing the weapons. However, the tranche was not paid on time.

«The tranche under the PURL programme was not paid. The missiles did not arrive. I am simply stating what is happening. That is why I say that emotionally and informationally we need to be on the same page, so that everything else can be effective and timely, ” the Ukrainian leader said.

According to Zelenskyy, he discussed with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte where to find funding for the PURL programme, under which NATO countries purchase U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine’s armed forces.

«The Americans said they would only sell us weapons. We have no choice. This is about protecting lives, ” he said. „There are European countries that say: „We are giving Ukraine aid for free. Why should we pay for American weapons?“ On the one hand, that sounds reasonable. If we give aid and the Americans sell, then perhaps we should invest in our own weapons.»

«But if Russian missiles are flying and you do not produce missiles for the Patriot system — will that decision help? Is it fair? In general terms, perhaps. But when it comes to a specific night, to the risk of a blackout, it is a very painful decision, ” the president said.

He added that his emotional speech in Davos «was not an insult to Europe», stressing that he was simply stating «what is happening», and that emotions «can therefore vary».