Ukraine is running low on Patriot interceptor missiles just as Russia is stepping up ballistic-missile attacks, according to reports. Kyiv's stock of the US-made defense systems is strained, and replacements are not arriving quickly enough.
Domestic missile production is still being scaled up, and European alternatives would take time to field, so Ukraine cannot quickly reduce its reliance on US-supplied Patriots. The reports say the question is whether Kyiv can realistically become less dependent on Washington in the near term.
No figures on remaining stocks or production timelines were given. The reports describe the pressure Russia is applying as a key factor driving the shortage.