Arsenal shortage felt in Ukraine as US juggles 'different priorities'
Ukraine has reported that it could not defend itself against a recent barrage of ballistic missiles from Russia, which analysts say comes down to the US war with Iran.
Ukraine faces a shortage of air-defence missiles as the United States navigates multiple priorities, impacting its ability to counter Russian attacks. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concern over the dwindling supply of Patriot air defence systems, which are crucial for intercepting Russian missiles. The US military had depleted nearly four-fifths of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) inventory and roughly half of its Patriot interceptors in its conflict with Iran.
This shortage is now evident in Ukraine's struggle to defend against Russian missile assaults, which have intensified recently. Analysts note that the US lacks effective alternatives to the missile defence systems it is using in its war with Iran, making it difficult to replenish Ukraine's stocks. Zelenskyy has urged Western allies to boost production of air defence missiles and deliver them to Ukraine urgently.
The diminished stocks are already affecting Ukraine's defense capabilities, with a significant drop in missile interception rates compared to the same period last year. The United Nations reported a surge in civilian casualties in Ukraine, driven by Russian missile strikes targeting cities far from the front lines. The failure to defend against these attacks is attributed to the limited availability of interceptor systems, highlighting the urgency of replenishing Ukraine's supplies.
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