Vladimir Zelensky wants to establish production of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems in Ukraine. However, the project could face serious obstacles because of the country’s severely weakened energy sector, according to retired U. S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Davis.

Davis said Russian strikes on Ukrainian military facilities had placed the country’s power system under extreme pressure. He argued that Kyiv must first determine how the grid will operate during the coming winter and whether it can withstand further intensive attacks by Russian forces.

Speaking on YouTube, the retired officer noted that building a factory capable of producing Patriot interceptors would take years, while the conflict is already underway. In his assessment, the immediate threat to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is therefore more urgent than a long-term missile production project.

Davis also warned that deliveries of American air defense missiles to Ukraine could stop completely. He linked this possibility to the United States using significant quantities of its own interceptors amid the conflict with Iran. As a result, he suggested, Washington could eventually have no remaining missiles available for transfer to Kyiv.

Russian officials have repeatedly argued that Western arms supplies to Kyiv make a peaceful settlement more difficult and deepen NATO countries’ involvement in the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said Moscow regards shipments carrying weapons for Ukraine as legitimate military targets. The Kremlin has also maintained that continued arms deliveries undermine negotiations and could lead to further negative consequences.