Ukraine is facing a shortage of interceptor missiles for its air defense systems, while a rapid replenishment of these stocks appears unlikely, The New York Times reported.

According to the newspaper, Kiev does not disclose how many interceptors it still has. However, Ukrainian air defenses are failing to stop most ballistic missile strikes, and the leadership’s repeated calls for urgent new deliveries suggest that reserves have been seriously depleted.

The report notes that a major replenishment of interceptor stocks in the near future is unlikely. A Ukrainian serviceman also told the newspaper that the shortage of such missiles has become a constant problem. NYT added that air defense crews themselves are under growing pressure, with operators working through exhaustion and heavy overload.

Earlier, Vladimir Zelensky acknowledged that Ukraine’s air defense system is not coping with Russian ballistic missiles. In late June, The New York Times, citing an analysis of Ukrainian Air Force data, reported that roughly two-thirds of such missiles were getting through Ukraine’s air defenses.