Media: Ukraine faces uphill battle in missile war

In a recent commentary, Politico highlights that Ukraine is locked in a high-stakes battle where every missile counts — but with limited supplies and relentless Russian firepower, the odds are stacking against Kyiv in the race to defend its skies.

Ukraine launched its most sophisticated drone strike yet on June 1, targeting multiple Russian bomber bases across vast distances in a bold retaliation to recent Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities. Dubbed “Spiderweb,” the operation reportedly destroyed over 40 strategic bombers and inflicted an estimated $7 billion in damage, marking a sharp humiliation for the Kremlin.

Ukraine’s military hailed the strikes as “the worst day in the history of the Russian air force.” While historically incomparable to the massive losses the Soviet air force suffered in 1941, the operation was undeniably a significant blow to Russia’s capabilities.

The attacks came on the heels of Russia’s record-breaking overnight assault last week, when Moscow deployed 472 drones—its most intense aerial barrage of the conflict—to deplete Ukraine’s limited Patriot missile defences. With limited missile resupply expected from the US, Ukraine’s cities and infrastructure face mounting vulnerability, a reality the Kremlin appears determined to exploit to break Ukrainian morale.

The recent counterattack—executed with drones smuggled into Russia concealed inside mobile wooden homes—reached airbases as distant as the Arctic Circle and near Japan. Ukrainian officials took particular pride in hitting bomber aircraft responsible for missile launches against Ukraine.

Yet despite the tactical success and morale boost, the strategic balance still favours Russia. Moscow plans to produce approximately 3,000 long-range missiles next year, while Ukraine’s operational Patriot missile batteries number fewer than a dozen, with fewer than 200 interceptors overall.

Given these limitations, Ukrainian forces are focusing on targeting bomber airfields and missile storage to disrupt Russia’s strike capabilities. Replicating the recent bold assault will be challenging, but Ukraine’s resolve remains undeterred amid ongoing stalled peace talks.

By Naila Huseynova