Ukraine ready to accept interceptors nearing expiry dates amid supply shortage

Ukraine has urged Western countries to provide additional interceptor missiles for its air defence systems, as Kyiv faces shortages amid continued Russian aerial attacks.

“Every interceptor provided to Ukraine now is a saved life. Missiles in stocks, including those nearing their expiry date, should work to protect Ukrainian skies,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X, Caliber.Az reports.

The moment the US President’s peace envoys left, Putin launched another massive, horrific attack against Kyiv, damaging residential areas and killing at least two people.

His ballistic missiles speak louder than his words on diplomacy. Strike after strike on residential… pic.twitter.com/UwiW5LChf7

— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) September 8, 2026

Ukraine is seeking new supplies of missiles for its Patriot air defence systems. The shortage has also become linked to uncertainty in Washington over plans that could allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot interceptors domestically and in Europe. Financial Times has reported earlier that US President Donald Trump, during a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, refused to supply hundreds of missiles for the Patriot systems.

Kyiv has argued that domestic production would help address the shortage and strengthen its ability to defend against Russia’s air campaign. However, experts say that even if the necessary licence were granted, it could take years before domestically produced interceptors become available.

Ukraine has repeatedly called on Western allies to increase military assistance. Moscow, meanwhile, has consistently argued that Western arms deliveries and military training for Ukrainian forces prolong the conflict rather than change the situation on the battlefield.

By Sabina Mammadli