‘Needed Every Day’: Zelensky, Rutte Talk Patriots

President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a NATO-backed winter air defense package after Russia launched three waves of ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv, saying Ukraine needs Patriot interceptors “practically every day.” Zelensky made the appeal during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in New York, according to a statement published on Thursday, Sept. 24.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “When we met with Secretary General Mark Rutte, there had already been three waves of ballistic [missile] attacks on Kyiv,” Zelensky said. He said he briefed Rutte on the destruction and casualties caused by the strikes, describing Russian attacks as the “constant reality” in which Ukrainians live. “It is impossible to counter this terror against life alone,” he said. Only Patriots can currently stop ballistic missiles Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had learned to intercept Russian cruise missiles and drones and were developing ways to counter jet-powered Shahed attack drones. “We are already seeing good results,” he said. “But against ballistic missiles, only Patriot interceptors work for now, and they are needed practically every day.” The two officials discussed Ukraine’s current interceptor requirements and ways its partners could assemble a winter support package. Zelensky thanked Rutte for his readiness to seek solutions, adding that stronger air defenses were also important for NATO members amid what he described as Russia’s continuing threats to expand its aggression. Other Topics of Interest Kremlin Says Too Early to Discuss Putin’s G20 Trip After Welcoming US Invitation Rubio previously said the invitation to December’s summit in Miami should not be read as a sign that a meeting between the leaders is imminent. Ukraine intercepted approximately 60% of the ballistic missiles launched during the latest Russian attack, Zelensky said earlier on Thursday. He acknowledged, however, that interception rates during previous attacks had fallen as low as 10%, while some barrages ended with no ballistic missiles intercepted. “It’s not because someone lacks experience. Someone lacks missiles,” Zelensky said. Three waves hit Kyiv The Russian assault killed two people and injured at least six in Kyiv, according to city authorities. Missile debris damaged a private house, a 16-story apartment building and an eight-story nonresidential building in the Dniprovskyi district. In the Podilskyi district, debris damaged the facade and windows of a maternity hospital and set vehicles on fire in a nearby parking lot. A diagnostic center and several warehouses were also damaged. No patients or medical workers inside the maternity hospital were reported injured. The ballistic missile assault followed a major Russian drone attack on Kyiv on Wednesday that killed two people, injured dozens and damaged businesses, gas stations and transport infrastructure. European allies of Ukraine were struggling to find enough Patriot missiles before winter because of limited stocks and competing defense requirements. Most PAC-3 interceptors capable of engaging ballistic missiles are manufactured in the United States, making Washington central to efforts to replenish Ukraine’s air defenses. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.