"One of the main problems Ukraine faces is Russian ballistic missiles; it is no secret that only patriot systems can shoot them down. Patriot has a certain success rate for interception thanks to a specific algorithm, but it takes many missiles to take down one target," Serhii Beskrestnov, an advisor to Ukraine's Minister of Defense, stated on 25/2.

Beskrestnov believes that the long-term war of attrition involving ballistic missiles is a race between Russia's manufacturing capability and the speed at which Western partners provide patriot interceptors to Ukraine.

"All Russian ballistic missiles that have recently attacked Ukraine were manufactured late last year and early this year, meaning they are moving equipment directly from production lines to launchers. 90% of iskander-m missile components are produced in Russia, and they are manufacturing approximately 60 missiles each month. Russia is also using converted S-300 and S-400 air defense missiles in its attacks," Beskrestnov added.

The Ukrainian advisor warned of the risk that Western partners might not be able to supply missiles for patriot systems long-term due to limited military resources. He argued that Ukraine needs to develop its own defense systems and restrict Russia's financial resources to reduce ballistic missile production.

Western partners have provided Ukraine with many modern air defense systems, including the powerful patriot and SAMP/T. Ukraine's patriot systems are equipped with the most modern US-made PAC-3 MSE missiles, which cost an average of USD 4 million each and can intercept ballistic missiles at a range of 60 km.

However, Ukraine's air defense network has recently become overwhelmed and depleted of ammunition. Russia has also targeted and destroyed many patriot systems. Ukrainian officials acknowledge that the country's air defense faces serious challenges because it expends interceptor missiles faster than its partners can provide aid.

A PAC-3 MSE missile leaves a patriot launcher during a test at a US training ground in june 2013. Photo: US Army

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on 26/2 that Ukraine intercepted most Russian attacks thanks to partners quickly delivering some of the air defense missiles promised at the Ramstein conference last week.

The Ukrainian leader had previously criticized European countries, blaming them for Ukraine's air defense missile shortages, which led to units specializing in countering ballistic missiles running out of weapons. However, the Financial Times, citing two unnamed officials familiar with the situation, asserted that Zelensky's accusation was inaccurate.

Nguyen Tien (According to AFP, AP, Reuters)