Ukraine says it is running short of air defence missiles

With such systems now ⁠also being used extensively in the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran, Ukraine is ⁠under ​increased supply pressure. "Today we have found ourselves on short rations when it comes to missiles due to certain ⁠supply problems," Ihnat said.

Ukraine is running ​short of air defence missiles ​after Russia's massive ‌winter attack ​campaign, the country's air force said on Friday, as it braces for ‌further strikes. "Today, the launchers assigned to certain units and batteries are half-empty - and that's putting it mildly. They have a limited number of ‌missiles," air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat was quoted as saying ‌by the Ukrinform news agency.

Ukraine has used domestically developed technologies to down long-range Russian drones, including interceptor drones, mobile gun units and electronic ⁠warfare. ​But for ⁠missile interception, it remains heavily dependent on foreign air defence systems. During more than ⁠four years of war, Ukraine has faced delays and disruptions to ​air defence deliveries from allies. With such systems now ⁠also being used extensively in the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran, Ukraine is ⁠under ​increased supply pressure.

"Today we have found ourselves on short rations when it comes to missiles due to certain ⁠supply problems," Ihnat said. He added that Ukraine has had to ⁠ask allies ⁠for as few as five to 10 missiles at a time for systems such as ‌NASAMS and IRIS-T.