"We may run out of rockets" said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Ukraine is running out of anti-aircraft missiles. "We may run out of rockets" said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Particularly, there is a shortage of American Patriot missiles.

In March alone, Russians fired over four hundred missiles towards Ukraine, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky. He believes that the threat could be mitigated if Ukraine receives additional anti-aircraft defense systems. "The presence of Patriot launchers in Ukrainian hands has proven that Russian terrorism can be defeated" he wrote on social media. However, such weaponry is currently lacking.

"If Russians continue to strike Ukraine daily as they have done over the past month, we may run out of missiles, and our partners are aware of this"
Zelensky said on Ukrainian television, as quoted by The Guardian.

According to the president, Ukraine must already make difficult choices to protect its interests.

https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1775428667532775431

However, despite the demonstrable effectiveness of Patriot launchers, Ukraine faces a glaring shortfall in acquiring these vital assets to adequately shield its airspace. President Zelensky's candid acknowledgment of the potential depletion of missile reserves underscores the gravity of the situation, with implications extending beyond immediate military exigencies to encompass broader geopolitical ramifications.

Ukraine needs greater protection

Volodymyr Zelensky specifically highlighted the need for American Patriot launchers for anti-aircraft defense. "Sophisticated American air defense systems have proven essential during Russian missile and hypersonic attacks," he explained. To cover the entire country, Ukrainians would require 25 such systems.

In March, Ukrainian authorities appealed to the West for more anti-aircraft defense resources. A statement was issued then, stating that "Western Patriot systems should be saving lives, not gathering dust in warehouses".

Russians are launching mass attacks on Ukraine

Last month, Russians carried out several mass attacks using missiles and Shahed drones. They damaged, among other things, thermal power plants and hydroelectric power stations in Ukraine. The attacks by Russians particularly affect the over one-million-strong city of Kharkiv.

Ukrainian intelligence estimates that Russia currently has over nine hundred missiles of various types in its arsenal and produces over a hundred such projectiles monthly.

As Ukraine confronts an array of multifaceted challenges ranging from military aggression to economic instability, the imperative of shoring up its anti-aircraft capabilities assumes heightened significance. The specter of potential missile shortages underscores the urgency of mobilizing international support to bolster Ukraine's defense infrastructure and reinforce its resilience in the face of adversity.

In the midst of escalating tensions and mounting security threats, Ukraine remains steadfast in its determination to defend its territorial integrity and safeguard the aspirations of its people for peace, prosperity, and freedom. The quest for enhanced anti-aircraft capabilities serves as a poignant reminder of Ukraine's unwavering resolve to confront adversity head-on and emerge stronger in the face of existential challenges.