Germany Rushes Patriot Missiles to Ukraine as Winter Air Threat Looms

Germany is releasing Patriot air-defence interceptors from its national arsenal for immediate delivery to Ukraine, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced on Tuesday. The decision comes amid warnings that Moscow will intensify its aerial assault on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure as colder weather sets in.

Speaking at a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, Pistorius said he had chosen to "deliver urgently" additional PAC-2 missiles. Patriot systems are widely regarded as the only effective shield against Russian ballistic missile strikes on Ukraine.

Pistorius cautioned that Russia, facing slow progress on the front line, is turning to air power to cripple Ukraine's economy. "It is trying to destroy Ukraine's economic base and critical infrastructure by way of air raids on port installations, power plants, and other civilian targets," he said. He warned that these raids are likely to increase once temperatures drop, leading to even greater damage.

The minister did not specify the number of missiles being sent but confirmed that Germany would also expand deliveries of air-to-air missiles, drones, and long-range ammunition.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara told the group that Kyiv is under contract to purchase around 1,000 Patriot missiles, though most will only arrive in the coming years. He pressed allies to supply from their existing stocks now, with a pledge to replace them from future deliveries.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte echoed that call, noting that civilian casualties are at their highest level since May 2022. "Nations must dig deeper. We do not have a choice," he said.

Ahead of the meeting, Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said EU member states had agreed to allocate part of a €90-billion loan to help Ukraine procure essential components for its Patriot systems.