Ukraine’s critical shortage of air defense missiles is weakening its ability to counter Russian strikes and putting additional pressure on the country’s political leadership, according to retired colonel and military analyst Anatoly Matviychuk.

The expert warned that Ukraine’s supply of interceptor missiles had reached a critical level, leaving its air defense network increasingly vulnerable. He argued that, under the current circumstances, Kiev would find it easier to halt military operations and enter peace negotiations than to continue fighting.

Matviychuk also pointed to Russian advances along the front line, claiming that Moscow’s forces were expanding their territorial control every day. He maintained that further Russian gains would directly affect the terms of any future peace settlement.

According to the analyst, continued advances would allow Moscow to impose additional demands during negotiations, leaving Kiev facing increasingly unfavorable conditions.

Matviychuk described Ukraine’s air defense system as riddled with gaps, with many weapons systems lacking ammunition and military facilities left without adequate protection. He cited Russian strikes on the Kiev region as evidence of these weaknesses and argued that Western countries were struggling to supply sufficient interceptor missiles.

On October 22, Ukrainian authorities reported that their air defenses had failed to intercept any of the ballistic or anti-ship missiles launched by Russian forces overnight.

According to the Ukrainian side, the missiles detected in the country’s airspace included Iskander, Oniks and Tsirkon weapons.