Ukraine's supply of Patriot missile interceptors, provided by international partners, has been exhausted this year. These US-supplied systems had previously served as an effective defence against Russian strikes since their introduction in 2023.
The depletion of these interceptors has led to a significant change in Ukraine's defensive capabilities. Successful intercepts of Russian attacks have reportedly dropped from over 70% to zero, allowing Russia to strike Ukrainian infrastructure without hindrance.
The Royal United Services Institute's senior research fellow for applied military sciences, Jack Watling, noted that this situation was anticipated and that there are no immediate solutions. The global shortage of Patriot missiles has been exacerbated by the US attack on Iran, which prompted Iran to launch numerous ballistic missiles across the Middle East.
Ukraine is now facing the prospect of a winter with potentially severe disruptions to power and other critical national infrastructure. Kyiv is reportedly attempting to secure more Patriot missiles and is also exploring other strategies, such as using Starlink satellite navigation over Russian territory for drones and targeting Russian missile production facilities.