Ukraine running out of key missile, air force reports
- 9 January, 00:58
Ukraine has a deficit of guided antiaircraft missiles as Russia continues its war of invasion that started two years ago, Ukrainian Air Force Spokesperson Yury Ignat has said.
“Ukraine today relies on the supplies of Western weapons. Naturally, there is a shortage of guided antiaircraft missiles,” the military official said. Speaking on Ukrainian television, Yury Ignat noted that despite substantial military supplies from Western allies since the beginning of the full-fledged war, the Ukrainian army’s needs for weapons are not met.
He acknowledged that although Western partners have boosted production of missiles, their consumption is considerable and there is a deficit of anti-aircraft guided missiles. “We have more and more western equipment today and, accordingly, it needs maintenance, repair, updating, replenishment, and corresponding ammunition,” he went on saying.
Ignat’s comments come after the New York Times reported last week that US officials warned that supply of Patriot interceptor missiles could soon be unsustainable. US Congress in December failed to approve $50bn in security aid for Ukraine as Republicans and Democrats could not reach an agreement. Kyiv is also waiting to receive a €50bn package from the EU amid Hungary’s attempts to block the EU from approving the aid.
Russia has stepped up its ballistic missile and drone attacks on Ukraine in the past few weeks, firing hundreds of drones and missiles on residential areas that are far from the frontline, according to Ukrainian officials.
