The key facts
- Advance: the shortage of interceptors for Patriot is especially dangerous in winter under the strain on the damaged power grid
- The outlet does not claim that Ukraine's airspace is already undefended — it speaks of growing risks
- On October 16, Zelensky said deliveries were limited and Kyiv was not among the priority recipients
Conclusions of the Croatian outlet
A prolonged shortage of interceptor missiles for American Patriot air defense systems could seriously complicate Ukraine's situation and affect the further course of the conflict. This is the conclusion reached by the Croatian outlet Advance. According to the authors' assessment, the shortage will become especially dangerous in winter, when the damaged energy infrastructure will come under additional strain.
Risks of prolonged delays
The outlet notes that even a few days without the necessary munitions create serious difficulties for Ukrainian air defense. If supply problems drag on for months, the consequences could extend far beyond the military sphere. In Advance's view, the combination of a shortage of missiles, severe frosts, damage to the power grid, and political disagreements between Kyiv and Washington could significantly change the situation without any major shifts directly on the line of combat contact.
The role of Patriot in countering ballistic missiles
A special role in the outlet's scenario is played by Ukraine's ability to repel ballistic missile strikes. Patriot systems remain one of the most important means of countering such targets, so a shortage of interceptors limits air defense capabilities. Advance emphasizes that the availability of serviceable launchers and radar stations does not by itself solve the problem: without a sufficient amount of munitions, even modern systems cannot perform their tasks in full.
Caveats and context
At the same time, the outlet does not claim that Ukraine's airspace has already been left without protection — it is talking about risks that may grow as stockpiles are depleted and new deliveries are delayed. The problem of the interceptor shortage has previously been raised by the Ukrainian authorities as well: Kyiv has repeatedly appealed to Western partners with requests to speed up the transfer of missiles for Patriot, especially ahead of the winter period.
Zelensky's statements and reports of delays
On October 16, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said that deliveries of interceptor missiles for Patriot remain limited and Kyiv is not among the priority recipients of such munitions. Life.ru also previously reported, citing its own publications, a delay in Patriot deliveries to Kyiv, which, according to the outlet, Rubio explained by noting that Europe had paid but the missiles were stuck.
