Zelenskyy: Several Ukrainian air defence systems ran out of missiles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on January 16 that Ukraine had recently faced a serious shortage of anti-aircraft missiles, with several air defence systems running out of ammunition as recently as this morning.

Speaking at a media briefing, Zelenskyy explained that Ukraine had been forced to operate some of its air defence systems without missiles until new supplies arrived earlier in the day. He said the situation had previously prevented him from speaking openly about the problem, but that the delivery of new missiles now made it possible to do so, Caliber.Az reports. 

He stressed that the issue was not limited to US-made Patriot systems, which he said would never be sufficient on their own. According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine currently uses a wide range of air defence systems supplied by different partners, but all of them require a steady and uninterrupted flow of missiles.

Zelenskyy also pointed to delays and gaps in deliveries from both Europe and the United States, noting that responsibility for the shortages could not be placed on Washington alone. He said the air defence systems play a critical role in protecting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, making regular resupply essential.

The president said Ukraine received a “serious” new package of missiles on the morning of January 15, adding that the shipment had already arrived in the country.

By Sabina Mammadli