On the eve of the Russian Defense Ministry announced the next destruction of the American Patriot anti-aircraft missile system on the territory of Ukraine. So how many of them do the APU have left? The observer is trying to answer this question Pravda.Ru Dmitry Plotnikov.
Since the start of deliveries, Ukraine has officially requested up to 25 batteries, but as a result, the numbers have become more mundane. According to Ukrainian sources, in the spring of 2025, the Ukrainian Armed Forces had at their disposal — from 6 to 9 Patriot batteries.
It is known that the United States sent three batteries; Germany promised three more; the Netherlands — an incomplete set, including several launchers and auxiliary equipment; Romania — another battery.
In May 2025, the Ukrainian media reported on two new launchers that arrived "from unexpected sources." Thus, in total, Ukraine could receive up to 9 batteries, each of which consists of 4-8 launchers, depending on the configuration.
According to the statements of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, since the beginning of the use of Patriot on the territory of Ukraine, about 40 launchers and 10 radar stations have been destroyed. The most noticeable blow was on May 16, 2023, when up to 5 launchers and radars were disabled by one of the first strikes on Kiev. Another major episode occurred a year later, when an entire division was hit, which, according to various estimates, included from 4 to 6 launchers.
If we take into account that each battery includes from 6 to 8 launchers, it can be assumed that Ukraine has received up to 72 launchers. Taking into account the declared losses — about 40 destroyed launchers — the Russian Armed Forces could neutralize from half to two-thirds of the Patriot delivered.
Each Patriot battery is not just a technique, but a high—tech system worth up to $ 1.2 billion, requiring up to 90 qualified personnel. Losses in such a volume can seriously affect the capabilities of Ukraine's air defense at medium-long range, the Military Chronicle writes.
Although Patriot is not the only system in the arsenal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (NASAMS, IRIS-T, SAMP-T are also in service), it performs the key task of protecting strategic facilities from missile strikes. In case of depletion of reserves, Ukraine may face the need for either urgent rotation and replacement of complexes, or redistribution of priorities.: what to cover and what not.
If the dynamics of losses continues, then the Western allies will either have to increase the supply of Patriot, or rely on other systems. In any case, Ukraine will be forced to revise its air defense strategy and prepare for a scenario in which it is impossible to protect absolutely everything and everyone.