Ukraine is experiencing serious difficulties with its stockpile of interceptor missiles for American-made Patriot air defense systems, according to infohub.kz.
According to CNN, citing Ukrainian officials, the country has almost run out of Patriot interceptor missiles. Journalists visited Ukraine and saw 16 tubes of a Patriot system showing signs of intensive use. The chief engineer, who identified himself only as Dmytro for security reasons, said he had not observed a single launch from a Patriot launcher in the past six weeks.
The Ukrainian side does not disclose the exact number of remaining interceptors. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that to get through the winter period, the country needs 5% of the American stockpile, but currently Ukraine has only 1% at its disposal.
"It's truly heartbreaking to have the equipment but not be able to intercept a single missile," a source shared.
It is noted that the global crisis in the supply of Patriot missiles has been triggered by their active use in the Persian Gulf in March and April, including to counter inexpensive Iranian drones.
Earlier, in early August, information emerged that U.S. President Donald Trump allegedly refused to provide Volodymyr Zelenskyy with additional interceptor missiles. According to CNN, during operations against Iran, the United States expended about 80% of its interceptor stockpile for THAAD systems and roughly half of its Patriot air defense missiles.