Zelenskyy: Allied Air Defense Missile Deliveries in First Half of Year Only One-Third of Last Year's Volume

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said on Wednesday (5th) that the number of air defense missiles provided by allies to Ukraine during the first half of 2026 was only one-third of the amount delivered in 2025, creating a significant security threat as Russia aims to substantially boost missile production ahead of winter.

NATO Secretary General Rutte stated that NATO is working to provide Ukraine with the urgently needed air defense systems. Europe’s first 'Patriot' missile production facility is scheduled to begin operations in Germany in September.

Recently, both Ukraine and Russia have intensified strikes against each other's critical infrastructure. Zelenskyy reported that Russian attacks on Ukraine's capital on Wednesday destroyed a brewery, a warehouse, and a mail sorting center, resulting in at least 17 deaths and dozens of injuries.

Of particular concern is that Ukraine failed to intercept any Russian missiles that day, suggesting a severe shortage of 'Patriot' missile interceptors. Zelenskyy hopes the United States can provide more of these munitions, but the ongoing war in Iran makes this request unlikely to succeed.

Since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, Ukraine has consistently lacked U.S.-made 'Patriot' interceptor missiles, which are capable of countering Russian ballistic missiles. However, in recent weeks, the missile shortage has become especially acute. Zelenskyy attributed the primary cause of this shortage to the war in the Middle East.

The conflict involving Iran has consumed large quantities of 'Patriot' and other interceptor missiles, worsening the scarcity. One analysis estimates that since the start of the Iran war, U.S. 'Patriot' missile inventories have decreased by at least 65%.

Sources revealed this week that the U.S. military has already exhausted nearly 80% of interceptors for key missile defense systems, with the Pentagon's ammunition stockpiles dropping to dangerously low levels. The U.S. military has effectively deployed almost all of its high-precision, long-range surface-to-air weapons in ongoing conflicts.