Zelenskyy: Western interceptor supply dropped threefold this year, Ukraine unable to stop Russian missiles

Published Aug 5, 01:45 PM UTC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Wednesday that the supply of Western-made missile interceptors has dropped threefold this year, leaving Kyiv unable to defend against Russian missile barrages. In a large-scale overnight attack, Russia launched 24 ballistic missiles and four anti-ship missiles targeting the Kyiv region. Ukraine's Air Force confirmed none were intercepted, an increasingly common outcome due to depleted interceptor stocks. At least 17 people were killed and nearly 50 injured. Zelenskyy urged partner nations to release more interceptors, warning that delays lead directly to casualties. Ukraine's most reliable defense, the US-made Patriot system, is in high global demand. Ukraine hopes to obtain a US license to manufacture its own Patriot interceptors domestically, but President Trump has not yet committed. Russia has ramped up ballistic missile attacks, launching over 120 in July alone.