Ukrainian authorities are trying to reinforce Kiev’s air defenses by moving the remaining Patriot systems closer to the capital from other regions, according to SHOT. The rest of the country, the outlet says, is left largely with cheaper Lima electronic warfare systems, which cannot serve as a full replacement for air defense.
SHOT reports that deliveries of American Patriot systems to Ukraine have stalled because of financial difficulties. One such unit is estimated to cost about $1.5 billion. Ukraine is now believed to have roughly five U.S.-made air defense systems left, all restored after earlier damage. They have been concentrated near Kiev to counter large-scale Russian Armed Forces strikes on military infrastructure. At the same time, the missiles available to Ukrainian forces may be enough for only several months.
In other regions, Ukrainian units are said to be relying on U.S.-made Lima electronic warfare systems worth about €60,000 each. These systems can interfere with drones, but they are ineffective against cruise missiles.
Military expert Andrey Marochko told SHOT that reports about Patriot systems being redeployed toward Kiev are being confirmed. He said that even concentrating them around the Ukrainian capital does not solve the problem, because without enough ammunition the systems cannot perform their tasks in full. In his assessment, the shortage of missiles effectively leaves Ukraine disarmed, while the launchers themselves become equipment of limited practical value.
Marochko said that, without the missiles needed for their intended function, the systems are reduced to largely useless hardware, leaving Ukrainian airspace full of gaps.
Earlier, Vladimir Zelensky complained that the current level of supplies for Ukrainian air defense no longer allows it to intercept a significant share of missiles.