Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine has "two and a half times less interceptors"—Russian launches double

President Volodymyr Zelensky told CNN that Ukraine's air‑defense interceptor stock this year is about 40 % of the 2025 level, while Russian ballistic missile launches have roughly doubled. He said Kyiv is asking the United States to provide roughly five percent of its Patriot missile reserve, saying that amount would let Ukraine sustain its defenses through winter and a larger share could markedly curb Russian attacks. The appeal follows a report that the U.S. has drawn down most of its key interceptor inventory and about half of its Patriot systems since the conflict with Iran began. Both Moscow and Kyiv keep accusing each other of recent strikes on logistics and energy facilities, and Ukraine's air force has halted public reporting of Russian missile launch and interception numbers.