U.S. supplies of Patriot air defense missiles and other munitions have reached dangerously low levels after five months of war with Iran and continued support for Ukraine against Russia. Despite White House denials, officials confirm interceptor stockpiles are 'extremely low,' raising concerns about America's defense capabilities.
U.S. supplies of Patriot air defense missiles and other munitions have reached dangerously low levels after five months of war with Iran and continued support for Ukraine against Russia. Despite White House denials, officials confirm interceptor stockpiles are 'extremely low,' raising concerns about America's defense capabilities.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reported that Western allies have delivered only one-third of the air defense missiles supplied in 2025, leaving Ukraine unable to intercept Russian ballistic missile attacks that killed at least 21 people. Ukraine has depleted its stockpiles of Patriot interceptors while Russia escalates strikes on Kyiv and southern ports.
The United States is pressing ahead with negotiations to allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles domestically, even after President Donald Trump publicly cast doubt on the deal. Ukrainian officials reveal they have been seeking production licenses for two years amid urgent defense needs against Russian attacks.
The European Union received €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) in windfall profits generated from interest on immobilized Russian Central Bank assets held in EU depositories, with the funds earmarked for Ukraine's defense and reconstruction. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Russia must pay for the destruction it has caused.
At least 17 people were killed and 44 wounded in overnight Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and surrounding areas, with Ukrainian air defenses unable to shoot down any of the more than two dozen ballistic and anti-ship missiles due to depleted Patriot interceptor supplies. President Zelenskyy blamed allies for delayed air defense deliveries as strikes hit civilian targets including a brewery, warehouse, and postal facility.
Russia fired over 381 missiles at Ukraine in July 2026, setting a wartime record at more than 12 per day, while launching ballistic missiles faster than it can produce them. Ukraine faces critical air defense shortages as Russia draws down stockpiles to sustain the unprecedented bombardment rate.
The European Union has provided €3.47 billion ($4 billion) to Ukraine for procurement of military equipment including drones, missiles, air defence systems, and Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets, according to the European Commission.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the transfer of intellectual property rights and a production licence for the Stone Cloak electronic warfare system to Ukraine during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to a Royal Navy base. The compact, tablet-sized system is mounted on drones to blind Russian radar and air defense networks, and Ukraine will become the first country authorised to manufacture it domestically at scale.
A Russian ballistic missile attack targeted a defense exhibition near Kyiv where Ukrainian President Zelenskyy had hosted U.S. defense contractors, killing at least 10 people and wounding nearly 100. Ukrainian prosecutors have opened an investigation into why the publicly promoted event was held despite strike risks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on July 23, 2026, that U.S. defense contractor Raytheon had expressed interest and readiness to pursue joint production of Patriot interceptor missiles with Ukraine following a meeting with company executives. The two sides will remain in contact to finalize the details, as Kyiv seeks to strengthen its air defenses against escalating Russian ballistic missile attacks.
Following a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the Kremlin says it will wait for new American proposals to end the Ukraine war, while blaming Ukraine's rejection of earlier peace terms on European influence and continued U.S. military assistance. Rubio acknowledged no quick deal is possible despite Trump administration commitment to diplomacy.
For the first time, Brussels granted Ukraine an exemption from EU defense loan procurement rules, permitting Chinese-made drone components to be purchased under the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan because European suppliers cannot produce them in sufficient quantities.
France's annual Bastille Day military parade featured 500 troops from the pro-Ukraine 'Coalition of the Willing' and aircraft from 11 European countries, marking President Emmanuel Macron's final parade with a display of European solidarity for Ukraine's security. The celebration was tempered by wildfires that forced cancellation of firework displays across the country.
Ukraine and nine other countries including the UK, Germany, and France announced the formation of a coalition to develop shared anti-ballistic missile defense capabilities for Europe, leveraging Ukraine's combat experience against Russian attacks. The initiative marks a shift away from reliance on US defense systems.
President Donald Trump announced he would allow Ukraine to produce Patriot air-defense interceptors under U.S. license, a potential diplomatic breakthrough for Kyiv. However, defense experts and Ukrainian officials caution the complex process could take years to implement and won't address Ukraine's immediate air defense needs against Russian attacks.
President Donald Trump said at a NATO summit in Turkey that the United States will give Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air defense system interceptors, marking a significant shift in his approach to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump acknowledged he had not yet informed defense contractors Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, who produce the Patriot system.
A wave of Russian missiles and drones struck Kyiv, killing 19 people and heavily damaging apartment blocks and other buildings. The attack occurred on the eve of a NATO summit in Turkey and has highlighted widening gaps in Ukraine's air defence capabilities.
NATO's deputy commander calls for increased defense spending and Ukraine support ahead of next month's Turkey summit, as President Trump renews threats to leave the alliance during a meeting with Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House.
Ukraine and Germany signed an agreement on anti-ballistic capabilities, with President Zelenskyy calling on Western allies to deliver results by winter. The agreement comes amid broader European defense cooperation, including a separate Germany-Poland defense deal, as Ukraine continues to seek support from G7 leaders and the United States.
President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the G7 summit in France, signaling a renewed focus on ending the Ukraine war as the Iran conflict moves to the "rearview." G7 leaders pledged to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses and tighten sanctions on Russia, with French President Emmanuel Macron welcoming a "re-synchronisation" of U.S. positions on Ukraine's territorial integrity.
President Trump is planning to ask US defense companies to produce weapons under license in Europe and Ukraine, with G7 allies agreeing to allow Ukraine-based companies to build long-range missiles and air defense systems. The move comes as Trump invokes the Defense Production Act to boost weapons manufacturing amid intensifying concerns over the Iran conflict.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled fresh energy sanctions on Russia and a £210 million deal to support Ukraine's nuclear plants for two years at the G7 summit in France. The announcement came as the BBC reported that arson attacks targeting Starmer last year have been linked to Russia.
EU member states gave preliminary approval to unlock a €90 billion loan for Ukraine after Kyiv repaired the damaged Druzhba oil pipeline, resolving a dispute with Hungary that had blocked the funding. Formal procedures expected to conclude Thursday.
