US Resumes Military Aid to Ukraine Amid Escalating Russian Attacks

The United States has resumed military supplies to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced, following a temporary halt in shipments of critical arms last week. The decision comes as Russia intensifies its drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, causing record civilian casualties.

In an interview with NBC News, US President Donald Trump revealed that a deal had been struck with NATO for the US to supply Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine through the alliance. The move follows a surge in Russian aerial bombardments, with Ukraine reporting a record 728 drones launched overnight on Tuesday. Zelensky warned that Russia aims to escalate these attacks to 1,000 drones per night. Zelensky had previously expressed concerns over the pause in US deliveries, particularly of Patriot systems and precision artillery shells, which are vital for Ukraine’s defence against Russian cruise and ballistic missiles. The Patriot system, regarded as one of the world’s most advanced air defence platforms, is critical for protecting Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Under the new agreement, NATO will purchase Patriot systems from the US and distribute them to Ukraine, with the alliance reimbursing the full cost. Zelensky, speaking in Rome on Thursday, confirmed that Germany has pledged to fund two Patriot systems, Norway one, and other European partners are also contributing. He also announced “new European defence packages” and said Ukraine’s military would work with US envoy Keith Kellogg in the coming week. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged NATO allies, including Germany and Spain, to transfer their existing Patriot batteries to Ukraine for faster deployment. “We’ve encouraged our allies to provide these weapons from their stocks, and we can enter financial agreements for replacements,” Rubio told reporters on Friday. The urgency of bolstering Ukraine’s air defences follows a wave of deadly Russian attacks. June recorded the highest monthly civilian casualties in three years, with 232 killed and over 1,300 injured, according to the UN. Ukrainian forces rely on Patriot systems, alongside Soviet-era S-300s and Western-supplied NASAMS, to maintain a layered defence against Moscow’s relentless bombardments. A single Patriot battery, including missiles, costs approximately £740 million, making Western nations hesitant to part with them. However, Ukraine’s ability to operate these systems—first supplied in April 2023—has proven effective in protecting key cities and infrastructure. The exact number of Patriot systems in Ukraine remains classified, but each additional battery expands the country’s defensive capabilities. The New York Times reported that a Patriot battery previously based in Israel is being refurbished in the US for delivery to Ukraine, following months of negotiations. Despite its size, Ukraine cannot protect all its territory, but increased Western support reflects the growing urgency to counter Russia’s escalating aerial campaign. President Trump, who has sought to reduce US aid to Ukraine since returning to office in January, expressed frustration over the lack of progress in peace talks. Following a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, Trump described Putin’s cooperative tone as “meaningless.” He announced plans for a “major statement” on Russia on Monday, though details remain undisclosed. Rubio, after a “frank” discussion with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Malaysia, echoed Trump’s frustration but hinted at new ideas to end the conflict, which he would present to the US president. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, it has occupied roughly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory. The US, the largest provider of military aid to Ukraine from 2022 to 2024 with £54.6 billion, continues to balance support for Kyiv with Trump’s push for NATO allies to increase their defence contributions. As Russian drone and missile strikes intensify, Ukraine’s Western allies face mounting pressure to bolster its defences, with the Patriot systems at the heart of efforts to protect lives and infrastructure.