President Donald Trump confirmed Sunday night that the United States will send advanced military equipment to Ukraine, including Patriot air defense systems, as Russian missile and drone attacks intensify across the country.
“We will send them Patriots, which they desperately need,” Trump told reporters outside Air Force One. “Putin talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening. So there’s a little bit of a problem there. I don’t like it.”
Trump did not provide specific numbers of the systems or munitions to be delivered, but said the package includes “various pieces” of high-grade military hardware. He added that Ukraine and its allies would “pay 100%” for the aid, though he did not clarify which partners he meant.
This latest commitment from Washington follows what Ukrainian officials described as Russia’s largest aerial assault since the full-scale war began in 2022. On Tuesday, 728 drones and 13 cruise or ballistic missiles targeted cities across Ukraine. That night, Kyiv was struck again, leaving two people dead and at least 16 injured, according to emergency services.
Ukraine’s air force said it neutralized 108 drones during an overnight barrage between July 13 and 14. Russia reportedly launched 136 drones in total, along with four missiles from its Kursk region. The drones targeted 10 Ukrainian locations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the strikes by urging Western governments to expedite weapons deliveries and boost domestic arms production. “Russia is obviously stepping up terror,” he said. “Partners must act faster.”
The Patriot system, manufactured by Raytheon Technologies, is a mobile surface-to-air missile platform designed to intercept incoming aircraft and missiles. Each system includes radar units, a control station, and missile launchers. Depending on the variant, it can strike threats up to 100 miles away.
One missile alone costs around $3 million three times the cost of a missile in the NASAMS air defense system. Patriots are typically deployed to shield key urban or strategic areas.
Trump’s decision to deliver the systems marks a shift from his earlier cautious stance toward Ukraine. Since returning to the White House in January, he held multiple phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and pushed for ceasefire talks. But in recent weeks, his tone has changed.
In a cabinet meeting earlier this month, Trump admitted to growing impatience with Moscow. “I’m not happy about that,” he said, referencing the lack of progress toward peace. “We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth.”
This week, Trump is expected to meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Washington to discuss European security. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg arrived in Kyiv Monday morning. Video shared by Andriy Yermak, Zelensky’s chief of staff, showed the two exchanging a salute and hug at the train station.
Kellogg is expected to hold talks on Ukraine’s defense strategy and additional sanctions on Russia.
The Kremlin has not issued a formal response to Trump’s announcement. On Sunday, Russian-backed authorities claimed Ukrainian drones hit a training facility at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Russian-held territory. The report stated there was no critical damage, though it followed warnings from the International Atomic Energy Agency about gunfire near the site.
Last month, the UN documented the highest monthly civilian toll in three years, with 232 Ukrainians killed and 1,343 wounded.
With negotiations stalled and Russia continuing its offensive, U.S. officials say the latest arms package is intended to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend its skies and protect infrastructure from sustained Russian attacks.
About the Author
