Patriot Systems in Ukraine Have Been Sitting Empty for Weeks, Interceptor Missiles Are Nearly Exhausted – CNN. VIDEO
Ukraine’s Patriot units are running low on missiles after heavy use in the Persian Gulf and slow production, leaving 16 launchers idle, CNN reported.
- Ukraine granted CNN journalists access on Monday to idle Patriot launchers, revealing a critical interceptor shortage as unit chief engineer Dmytro confirmed the system had not fired in six weeks.
- Heavy usage in the Persian Gulf against Iranian drones, where coalition forces expended 225 interceptors daily, created a 132 to 1 usage-to-production gap as Lockheed Martin produced only 620 units in 2025.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed allowing Raytheon and Lockheed Martin to build interceptors directly in Ukraine, offering manufacturers full operational control, though United States defense contractors resisted citing security concerns.
- The White House clarified that no production guarantees exist, while President Donald Trump expressed doubts about issuing licenses, leaving Ukraine with only 1% of the stockpiles required for winter.
- Unit chief engineer Dmytro described the operational reality as "It's really a terrible sight," noting that empty launchers leave civilians vulnerable while Heorhiy and crew members face constant pressure deciding which threats to intercept.
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14 Articles
The American-made Patriot anti-aircraft system remains idle in the fields of Ukraine, as the country has been starved of the precious interceptor missiles for weeks. The post Kiev in despair: The global Patriot shortage leaves Ukraine defenseless against Russia appeared first on in.gr.
Ukraine Reveals Its Achilles' Heel to CNN: 'Like When You Learn to Walk, But You Can't Walk Anymore'
It is also the most wanted weapon in the world, but it is currently languishing in a cornfield, with empty containers, and the last time it fired an interceptor was ten weeks ago.
Ukraine, plagued by a shortage of Patriot missiles, struggles to defend itself against Russian air attacks. For six weeks, no fire from these anti-aircraft systems has been carried out, exposing civilians to a...
Ukraine Reveals Patriot Missile Shortage to CNN as Launchers Sit Empty
Ukraine faces a severe shortage of air defense interceptors, leaving advanced Patriot launcher units idling in rural fields. Ukraine currently holds only 1% of US missile stockpiles, well short of the 5% requested by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to secure air coverage through the winter, according to CNN on August 17. We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field. DONATE NOW A system spotted near Kyiv has 16 tu…
According to CNN, the last one was fired 10 weeks ago.
Patriot systems in Ukraine have been sitting empty for weeks, interceptor missiles are nearly exhausted – CNN. VIDEO
For the first time, the Ukrainian military granted CNN journalists access to a Patriot air defence system inside the country to demonstrate a critical problem: Ukraine has almost exhausted its stock of interceptor missiles.
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