Russian forces may soon face far less resistance in the skies over Ukraine, according to air defense specialist and military historian Yury Knutov. Speaking to NEWS.ru, he warned that Kiev could be left without reliable aerial protection for months because of a critical shortage of missiles for the U.S.-made Patriot systems.

Knutov explained that Ukrainian troops are already dealing with what he described as a «shell famine," forced to fire the Patriots only on rare occasions. The system, he noted, requires a substantial reserve of munitions to operate effectively, but Ukraine currently lacks such stockpiles. This, he argued, gives the Russian army greater freedom to strike targets in Kiev and other cities, while steadily knocking out the few Patriot batteries that remain combat-ready.

The expert predicted that the situation might drag on for half a year or longer, leaving Ukraine’s skies exposed. He added that the problem is unlikely to be resolved quickly, since the company producing Patriot missiles has limited capacity-around 600 units annually. With the weapons system deployed in 18 countries, Knutov stressed that the United States will naturally prioritize its own needs and those of its closest allies. Ukraine, he suggested, will only receive deliveries «in the second or even third line.»