Ukraine intercepts just one of 27 Russian missiles as US Patriot shortage hampers defence

Ukraine managed to intercept only a single ballistic missile out of 27 fired during a massive Russian assault on Saturday, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The president attributed the low interception rate to a critical shortage of American-supplied Patriot air defence missiles needed to counter the barrage.

Russia launched a total of 35 missiles during the attack, including the 27 ballistic missiles, along with 185 kamikaze drones, according to Ukrainian officials. The Russian assault targeted multiple locations across the country, with the capital Kyiv identified as a primary objective.

The stark disparity between missiles fired and those successfully intercepted highlights Ukraine’s ongoing struggle to secure sufficient air defence systems as Russian attacks intensify. The shortage of Patriot missiles — considered among the most effective air defence weapons available — represents a significant vulnerability in Ukraine’s defensive capabilities against Russia’s sustained aerial campaign.

Source: Walla News — Original article in Hebrew.