Exclusive: Ukraine runs out of Patriot interceptor missiles as Zelensky and Trump clash over war

Key Points:

• Ukraine has reportedly exhausted its supply of US-made Patriot interceptor missiles, crucial for defending against Russian ballistic missile attacks, leaving the country more vulnerable to strikes.
• The shortage of interceptors coincides with heightened tensions between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump, particularly after the US agreed to import Russian diesel and pressured Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian oil infrastructure.
• Zelensky has repeatedly appealed for more Patriot missiles, stating that without additional air defenses, Ukraine cannot agree to stop targeting Russian energy facilities; however, a US license to manufacture these missiles in Ukraine has not been granted.
• Recent Russian missile attacks damaged key energy infrastructure in Kyiv and Kharkiv, causing casualties and highlighting the urgent need for missile defense amid dwindling interceptor stocks.
• The Trump administration has warned of potentially suspending European weapons purchases and intelligence sharing with Ukraine if Kyiv continues deep strikes on Russian energy targets, a move that could further impact Ukraine's access to Patriot missile supplies.