KYIV — Ukraine is seeking alternative sources of air defence missiles and accelerating efforts to expand domestic production as supplies of key interceptor missiles dwindle, raising concern over the country's ability to defend against intensified Russian missile attacks.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this week that deliveries of air defence interceptors from partners have fallen sharply compared with last year, while Russia has stepped up strikes using ballistic missiles and drones. Ukrainian officials say the shortage has become particularly acute for U.S.-made Patriot interceptor missiles, which remain among the few systems capable of countering Russian ballistic missiles.
Ukraine's Air Force has also acknowledged mounting pressure on its missile stocks. Air Force spokesperson Colonel Yurii Ihnat said earlier that some air defence units were operating with significantly reduced missile inventories because of supply disruptions, forcing Kyiv to seek small emergency deliveries from allies to replenish systems including Patriot, NASAMS and IRIS-T batteries.
The shortages have coincided with increasingly frequent Russian aerial assaults. During several recent attacks, Ukrainian officials said air defences were unable to intercept incoming ballistic missiles because of insufficient interceptor stocks, although drones and some cruise missiles continued to be engaged by other air defence assets. Russian claims about the effectiveness of its strikes could not be independently verified.
In response, Kyiv is pursuing multiple approaches to strengthen its air defences. Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is working with Western defence companies on licensed production of interceptor missiles and other air defence equipment. Last month, he said U.S. defence contractor Raytheon had expressed interest in cooperating on production of Patriot interceptors in Ukraine, following discussions aimed at expanding industrial partnerships.
Ukraine is also investing in lower-cost technologies, including domestically developed interceptor drones designed to destroy Iranian-designed Shahed attack drones used extensively by Russia. Earlier this year, the Defence Ministry announced procurement of thousands of such systems to reinforce short-range air defence while preserving scarce missile interceptors for higher-priority threats.
The challenge extends beyond Ukraine. Demand for Patriot missiles has surged following conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, straining global inventories and prompting several countries to seek additional production capacity. According to defence analysts and government officials, replenishing interceptor stockpiles will require expanded manufacturing that could take years to meet demand.
Ukraine has continued to urge its allies to provide additional air defence systems and interceptor missiles while expanding long-term industrial cooperation intended to reduce dependence on foreign supplies as the war enters another year.
