Zelenskyy Requests 25 U.S. Patriot Systems to Counter Russian Power Grid Strikes

Ukraine Seeks Patriot Systems Amid Escalating Russian Attacks

KYIV, Ukraine — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on November 10, 2025, that Ukraine intends to order 25 U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems to defend against Russia’s intensified aerial assaults targeting the country’s power infrastructure. The request comes as rolling blackouts spread across Ukraine ahead of the winter months, heightening concerns over heating and essential services.

Background: Growing Threats to Ukraine’s Energy Grid

Since Russia’s invasion nearly four years ago, Ukraine has faced persistent threats to its energy infrastructure. In recent months, attacks on the power grid have become increasingly sophisticated, employing hundreds of drones and missiles designed to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses. Unlike earlier indiscriminate strikes, Russia has begun targeting regional switchyards and substations, causing localized blackouts rather than focusing solely on the centralized national grid.

Ukraine’s Energy Ministry reported that the latest attacks resulted in scheduled power outages across most regions and called on citizens to rationalize electricity consumption, especially during morning and evening peak hours.

Details of Zelenskyy’s Request

Zelenskyy acknowledged that Patriot systems are costly and that large-scale procurement could take years to fulfill. He suggested that European allies might temporarily transfer their existing systems to Ukraine while awaiting replacements, emphasizing the urgency: “We would not like to wait.”

Germany has recently provided additional Patriot systems to Ukraine, although the total number deployed across the country remains undisclosed. Ukrainian air defenses are reportedly stretched thin across the nation’s wide territory, leaving critical regions vulnerable.

NATO continues to coordinate large-scale weapons deliveries to Ukraine, with European allies and Canada purchasing most equipment from the United States. Notably, the Trump administration has not supplied arms to Ukraine, a shift from the prior Biden-era support.

Russian Tactics and the Battle for Pokrovsk

The request for Patriot systems comes amid ongoing battles in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, particularly around the city of Pokrovsk. Zelenskyy indicated that Russian forces have amassed roughly 170,000 troops for a renewed push in the area.

According to the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War, fighting has been relatively quiet in recent days, but the think tank anticipates an escalation in Russian attacks as reinforcements are deployed.

Implications and Strategic Perspective

The introduction of additional Patriot systems could significantly bolster Ukraine’s ability to counter both drone swarms and precision missile attacks on energy infrastructure. Air defense experts highlight the increasing sophistication of Russian attacks, noting the combination of aerial surveillance drones with strike missiles that can adapt targeting in real time.

With winter approaching, maintaining the integrity of Ukraine’s power grid is critical not only for civilian survival but also for sustaining military operations in contested regions. International defense coordination through NATO remains a vital factor in ensuring Ukraine can counter these persistent threats effectively.

Looking Ahead

As Ukraine continues to press for advanced air defense capabilities, the next steps will likely involve expedited deliveries, potential transfers from European allies, and further integration of existing NATO systems into Ukrainian defenses. How quickly these measures are implemented could shape Ukraine’s resilience against winter attacks and influence the broader trajectory of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.