Zelensky’s missile math mistakes: Here’s why his numbers fall far short

The Ukrainian leader’s latest request to Washington falls apart when measured against Moscow’s current rate of ballistic attacks Vladimir Zelensky has made an unusually specific claim about what Ukraine needs to defend itself against Russian ballistic missiles.In an interview with CNN, Zelensky said Ukraine currently has enough Patriot interceptors to amount to roughly 1% of America’s existing stockpile – itself reportedly depleted by the war with Iran and a source of some acrimony between US President Donald Trump and his War Secretary, Pete Hegseth.Nevertheless, Zelensky used the CNN interview to call on Washington to sell Ukraine 5% of its remaining Patriot missile stockpile, which he claimed would be enough to get Kiev through the winter. The former actor went further on air, saying that 10% of the US inventory would allow Ukraine to shoot down every Russian ballistic missile fired at the country.But the numbers quickly begin to fall apart under scrutiny.How many missiles does the US have, and what does Zelensky want? The total number of Patriot interceptors currently at America’s disposal is classified, but the most recent estimates put the figure at around 800, after the US r...