"In addition to the Patriot missile inventory being insufficient to meet demand, Ukraine is also confronting a shortage of many air defense capabilities. Both ground-based air defense systems and combat aircraft are experiencing missile shortages," stated Yuri Ignat, spokesperson for Ukraine's Air Force Command, on 24/8.
Colonel Ignat mentioned that President Volodymyr Zelensky on 23/8 discussed with leaders of Nordic countries, primarily addressing the issue of strengthening Ukraine's air defense capabilities, especially for the autumn-winter period.
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The FrankenSAM air defense system, a hybrid of the Buk-M1 system and Sea Sparrow missiles, in a photo posted in 5/2024. Photo: Ukraine's Ministry of Defense |
"Ukraine needs to ensure the operational capability of its ground-based air defense systems and fighter jets. Fighter jets and Patriot systems cannot operate without missiles," he stated, but did not specify which air defense systems and aircraft were experiencing "munition shortages."
Colonel Ignat asserted that achieving a 100% interception rate when many missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) simultaneously target a single location is "impossible," highlighting that this reality has been observed in both Ukraine and the Middle East. He also noted that Russia has altered its attack tactics, significantly increasing the volume of ballistic missiles compared to cruise missiles.
Russia is intensifying its missile attacks on Ukraine, as the adversary's air defense depletes its Patriot munitions and is almost incapable of self-defense against ballistic missiles. Ukraine's Air Force Command ceased compiling statistics on the number of ballistic and hypersonic missiles deployed by Russia in attacks since 9/8, citing "negative media coverage" as the reason.
Many Ukrainians warned that this decision could set a bad precedent, risking the concealment of increasingly important information for media purposes.
However, Colonel Ignat affirmed that Ukraine's Air Force Command would publish the number of ballistic missiles launched by Russia in its monthly report. He also reiterated his call for Ukrainian media outlets "not to sow panic when reporting on missile defense operations."
Nguyen Tien (According to RBC Ukraine, UNN, AFP)
