Ukraine runs out of Patriot missiles after Russian strikes hit Kyiv power plants
Ukraine has exhausted its stock of Patriot interceptor missiles, leaving it with less capacity to stop Russian ballistic attacks, according to CNN, citing a source familiar with the situation. In the latest attack, Russian missiles hit three power plants in Kyiv and targeted energy infrastructure in Kharkiv; four people were killed and 25 injured in Kyiv, Ukrainian media reports said.
Bottom line — CNN’s source says almost all ballistic missiles in the latest attack went unintercepted because Ukraine lacked Patriot missiles.
Go deeper 6
-
The Washington Post, cited by Ukrainska Pravda, reported that Ukraine had 10 Patriot missiles on 7 October; a Ukrainian official said only a couple remained after subsequent attacks.
-
A NATO representative told The Washington Post that Patriot interceptors continue to flow through the PURL programme, while a Ukrainian official said deliveries had been irregular since May.
-
The Economist, cited by APA, reported that PURL supplies 95% of Ukraine’s Patriot interceptors and most missiles for its F-16s.
-
The New York Times, cited by Ukrainska Pravda, reported that an intercepted Russian plan envisaged using about 70 ballistic missiles, 720 long-range drones and 150 guided bombs to cut power, water and heating in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa.
-
Kyiv Post reported that a Ukrainian Air Force tally showed four ballistic missiles intercepted during the latest attack; CNN’s source said almost all were not intercepted because of the shortage.
-
Kyiv Post reported that Lockheed Martin was investing up to €7.7 billion ($9 billion) through 2030 to expand missile production.