Ukraine runs out of US Patriot missile interceptors as Russia pummels cities: report

Key Points:

• Ukraine has reportedly exhausted its stockpile of interceptors for the US Patriot air defense system, severely limiting its ability to defend against ongoing Russian ballistic missile attacks.
• The Patriot interceptors, crucial for neutralizing large Russian missiles, face production delays of up to two years, with the US attempting to accelerate manufacturing amid global shortages.
• Ukrainian President Zelensky has sought licenses to produce Patriot interceptors domestically, but despite claims of approval from former President Trump, no formal agreement appears to have been finalized.
• While Ukraine excels in drone warfare, it struggles to counter Russia’s ballistic missile strikes, compounded by recent tensions with the US and issues accessing key satellite internet services for military operations.
• Western allies, including the UK and Poland, continue to supply Ukraine with military aid such as long-range missiles, while the US and Europe have collectively provided hundreds of billions of dollars in assistance.