Zelenskyy’s worst nightmare is here: Ukraine runs out of Patriot missiles

The Ukrainian armed forces have reported that their stock of Patriot surface-to-air missile systems is running dangerously low. The shortfall means that the country cannot reliably intercept the high-speed cruise missiles that Russia has been firing at strategic targets. In the past week, Russian forces struck power generation facilities in the capital Kyiv and in the eastern city Kharkiv, causing blackouts and injuring several civilians. The loss of these critical installations has heightened public anxiety and placed additional strain on emergency services.

Patriot missiles are supplied primarily by the United States under a series of security assistance agreements that began after the invasion in 2022. Delivery schedules have been affected by production bottlenecks in the United States and by the need to balance commitments to other allies in the region. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly appealed to Washington for accelerated shipments, while U.S. lawmakers have debated the size and timing of further allocations. The limited availability of these high-end interceptors has forced Kyiv to rely more heavily on older Soviet-era systems, which are less effective against modern Russian weapons.

The situation matters to readers in India because instability in Ukraine can influence global energy prices, which affect fuel costs and electricity rates across the subcontinent. In addition, the shortage highlights the challenges of relying on foreign defence technology, a topic that is under discussion in Indian policy circles as the country seeks to modernise its own armed forces. Observers also note that any shift in the balance of power in Eastern Europe could alter the strategic calculations of major powers, including those that engage with India on security and trade matters.