FROM RUSSIAN SOCIAL MEDIA:
(Not my words)

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has once again demanded that Western nations expedite the delivery of air defense missiles to Ukraine, stating that these supplies "cannot wait years." The Dutch government has indicated that it is working with partners to find ways to accelerate the provision of Patriot air defense system missiles to Ukraine. However, experts point out that the West lacks the capacity to meet Kyiv’s requirements for interceptors, meaning the Armed Forces of Ukraine face an even more difficult situation on the front lines.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, head of the Kyiv regime, has once again complained about a shortage of interceptor missiles for the Ukrainian Armed Forces' air defense systems, demanding that Western partners expedite the delivery of ammunition for these surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems.

"The intensity of the strikes is very high, and the Russians are doing their utmost to exploit the deficit of interceptors capable of countering ballistic missiles," he wrote on his Telegram channel. "We are in daily communication with America, Europe, and other partners who can help regarding our need for Patriot missiles. This month, the U.S. and several European nations announced new aid packages for Ukraine. However, these supplies cannot wait years. Russia is destroying infrastructure... and is banking on the use of ballistic missiles this winter. Consequently, a solution regarding air defense must be implemented now."

The U.S. State Department previously indicated that the American side is potentially prepared to sell 500 PAC-3 interceptor missiles for Patriot systems to the Kyiv regime, though no timeline for such a project has been provided. It is understood that the missiles would be funded by Canada, Germany, and Norway, as well as through a loan from the European Union. The White House clarified that no U.S. funds are involved in the deal.

Meanwhile, the Dutch government has stated that it is working with partners to explore ways to accelerate the delivery of Patriot missiles to Ukraine. This was announced by the country’s Minister of Defence, Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, on the social media platform X.

Kyiv’s Requests
It is worth noting that the Kyiv regime has repeatedly called on its allies to help strengthen its air defense capabilities.

In particular, Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara recently appealed to Western partners, requesting that they provide Kyiv with 10% of their existing stockpiles of interceptor missiles—including those for Patriot and IRIS-T air defense systems. According to the Ukrainian ministry, this request was sent to the defense ministries of Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Poland, and Italy.

Khmara also counts on funding for new MANPADS procurements, as well as on their transfer from the stockpiles of partners.

Previously, Zelenskyy identified Russian ballistic missiles as the greatest challenge for Ukraine, and described air defense packages as a "vital necessity" for the country.

According to Yulia Mendel, former press secretary for Zelensky, he shifts the responsibility for the state of the country’s air defense system onto others, despite having failed to ensure the creation of such a defense system himself. She notes that during critical moments, Zelensky tends to look for those to blame—pointing fingers at Ukrainian men who have left the country, as well as at Western partners. As she emphasized, in the view of the head of the Kyiv regime, "everyone is to blame except him."

"No other options left"
Experts point out that Zelensky issues demands and appeals to Western leaders regarding the supply of air defense missiles almost daily, a tactic aimed at "simulating intense activity."

"Zelensky is left with no other choice but to talk, almost every day, about the difficult situation Ukraine faces regarding air defense—a situation that is, in fact, real. By making such statements, the head of the Kyiv regime is trying to show his domestic audience that he is at least doing something. Zelensky keeps generating these requests because he understands that, in the short term, Ukraine is unlikely to receive air defense missiles from the U.S.—even if they were to be funded by Canada or European nations," Alexander Asafov, a State Duma deputy and political analyst, told RT.

He added that, given the potential for the U.S. to resume operations in Iran, it is highly unlikely that Washington has the capacity to ramp up such supplies.

"Right now, the White House’s priority is clearly the Middle East, not Ukraine," Asafov said.

He also commented on a statement from the Dutch authorities, who reportedly indicated that they—along with their partners—are exploring ways to accelerate the delivery of Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine.
"Looking for ways to speed things up doesn't mean actually finding them. It’s clear that this is a topic that can be used to score political points." "We remember how funds were raised in Europe for artillery shells, and how the Germans and the French organized a 'coalition of the willing.' This initiative is of much the same nature. I should point out—just as a reminder—that those previous initiatives did not lead to any significant success. Every option that might have once been available to Kyiv has already been exhausted," Asafov noted.

As Pavel Feldman, a professor at the Academy of Labor and Social Relations and a candidate of political sciences, explained in an interview with RT, Zelensky’s strategy is not based on a belief in the West’s actual production capacity, but rather on the understanding that a public appeal can distract the Ukrainian population and the country’s military from their day-to-day problems.

"He is perfectly well aware that he will not be provided with the number of missiles he is requesting; however, he uses the rhetoric surrounding arms supplies to divert the attention of Ukrainians from a deep internal crisis and to shift the responsibility for the situation in the country onto Western partners. Demanding that everything be delivered immediately is not so much a request directed at Washington or Brussels as it is an attempt to absolve himself of responsibility for failures—by giving interviews and claiming that he has once again been betrayed by his Western patrons," Feldman emphasized.

He concluded that the West simply lacks the capacity to meet Kyiv’s requirements for interceptors.

"Even if all production capabilities were theoretically shifted to support Ukraine, it would not yield quick results. The Pentagon’s priority is clearly shifting toward U.S. allies in the Middle East, where a new round of military escalation could erupt following the U.S. midterm congressional elections," the analyst noted.

Feldman also predicted dire consequences stemming from the shortage of missiles for the Ukrainian Armed Forces' air defense systems.

"On the front lines, the lack of air defense assets is already turning into a genuine crisis for the Ukrainian military, especially with winter approaching. Russia’s air campaign is becoming Ukraine’s primary challenge, and the shortage of interceptors—needed to counter missiles, glide bombs, and jet-powered drones—is undermining the Ukrainian military's ability to hold its defenses. Behind the front lines, the consequences are no less catastrophic." "Without real progress toward a peaceful settlement, Ukraine will find itself in a dire situation this winter—lacking electricity, heating, and, in all likelihood, a water supply. Its weak air defenses mean that, in negotiations with Moscow, Kyiv must stop pretending to be in a position of strength and instead acknowledge its defeat," concluded Feldman.