Patriot systems in Kyiv were left unmanned ahead of Russian attacks – Financial Times
On August 15, the Financial Times reported that due to a severe shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles, Ukraine was unable to repel some of the Russian ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv. At the most critical moments, the Patriot launchers ran out of missiles, which significantly limited the capabilities of Ukraine’s air defense forces.
According to the publication, Ukraine has already used up a small number of interceptor missiles provided by the U.S. in recent weeks. As a result, during the attacks on August 5 and 8, not a single ballistic missile fired at the capital was intercepted.
On August 5, Russia attacked Kyiv with 24 ballistic missiles, four anti-ship missiles, and 115 drones. Ukrainian air defense shot down 98 drones but not a single missile. Three days later, six more ballistic missiles struck Kyiv, killing three people.
According to Ukrainian officials cited by the FT, the shortage of interceptors has become so acute that the Air Force has stopped regularly reporting the total number of missiles launched by Russia, so as not to reveal how many of them it fails to shoot down.
Following one of the attacks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy once again called on partners to speed up the delivery of air defense systems and missiles.
According to Kyiv’s estimates, Ukraine needs at least 300 PAC-3 interceptors for the Patriot system to counter Russia’s expected massive strikes on energy, gas, and water infrastructure this winter.
The shortage of Patriot missiles has coincided with an increase in Russia’s production and use of ballistic missiles.
Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, reported that in July, Russian forces deployed a record number of ballistic and hypersonic missiles—198. According to him, Russia produces about 60 ballistic missiles per month, and in July alone used at least 65.
Ukraine has appealed to European partners that have stockpiles of Patriot missiles, asking them to provide more interceptors. The FT names Spain and Greece among these countries.
At the same time, some allies are in no hurry to reduce their own stockpiles following the war with Iran, which also led to significant use of American interceptor missiles.
According to the FT, U.S. President Donald Trump has not yet approved the transfer of additional Patriot systems and interceptors to Ukraine in the coming months. However, Serhiy Kyslytsya, deputy head of the Office of the President, stated that there has been no direct refusal from Washington and that Kyiv continues to count on new deliveries.
As a reminder, European countries have stepped up their search for interceptor missiles for the Patriot systems they plan to transfer to Ukraine. Kyiv is seeking to strengthen its missile defense ahead of a possible new wave of Russian attacks this winter.
Earlier, Finland explained why it would not transfer Patriot missiles to Ukraine.
Kallas called on the EU to provide Ukraine with missiles for the Patriot system.
