Ukraine runs out of Patriot interceptors, CNN reports

Ukraine has run out of interceptor missiles for its US-made Patriot air defense systems, a source familiar with the situation told CNN on Thursday. That leaves the country more exposed to Russian ballistic missiles as winter approaches. The source said "almost all the ballistic missiles from the last strike were not intercepted due to lack of the (interceptor) missiles."nypost.com

The report came the same day Bloomberg reported that Britain is sending Kyiv more long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Ukraine is short on defensive weapons and is also feuding with Washington over energy strikes, Starshield satellite access and arms purchases.cnn.com

Last Patriots likely used

In the attack overnight into Wednesday, October 14, Russian ballistic missiles hit three power plants in Kyiv and targeted energy infrastructure in Kharkiv. Four people in Kyiv were killed and 25 were injured, CNN reported. The Ukrainian Air Force said it shot down four ballistic missiles that night, which suggests it fired its last Patriots, according to the network.cnn.com

This would not be the first time Ukraine's supply has run dry. In August, Zelensky said the country had only a tenth of the interceptors it urgently needed, Hromadske noted. He has estimated that Ukraine needs 100 to 120 interceptors a month during winter. Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara said Kyiv has signed contracts for about 1,000 Patriot missiles, but most will not ship for years, according to a report on Ukraine's stopgap defenses.hromadske.ua+1

The shortage matters more because of a Russian attack plan described by The New York Times. Under that plan, about 70 ballistic missiles, 720 long-range drones and 150 guided bombs could cut Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa off from power, water and heating within a month, Ukrainska Pravda reported.pravda.com.ua

Tensions with Washington

The shortage comes amid a growing feud between President Donald Trump and Zelensky over a US deal to import Russian diesel and US pressure on Kyiv to stop striking Russian oil facilities, CNN reported. US officials warned that European-funded weapons purchases through the PURL program could be suspended. That would put future Patriot deliveries at risk.cnn.com

Zelensky said in September that Ukraine would get a US license to make Patriot missiles at home, but no license has been granted, CNN reported. He has said he might ease his position on refinery strikes if Ukraine received more Patriots, Meduza reported.meduza.io+1

Britain sends Storm Shadows

Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Zelensky discussed the Storm Shadow delivery at a meeting in London on Wednesday, Interfax-Ukraine reported, citing Bloomberg. The number of missiles was not disclosed. The missiles are meant to help Ukraine disrupt Russian operations aimed at civilian infrastructure before winter. Britain has also committed £100 million through PURL for Patriot missiles and other air defense equipment, according to the British government.yahoo.com+1

On Wednesday, Zelensky appealed publicly: "We ask for additional packages of Patriot missile interceptors for Ukraine."cnn.com