Ukrainian air defenses vulnerable to winter Russian attacks: Reports
4 Min Read
Kiev may need to prioritize specific targets for defense, with particular concern regarding a potential lack of missiles for the Patriot air defense systems, a report by The Telegraph suggests.
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Ukrainian soldiers atop a personnel armored carrier on a road near Lyman, in the Donetsk region, on October 4, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images)
Ukrainian air defense is reportedly facing challenges in repelling all potential Russian attacks this winter due to a deficiency in interceptor missiles, as reported by The Telegraph on Monday, citing defense experts.
The report highlights that Kiev may need to prioritize specific targets for defense, with particular concern regarding a potential lack of missiles for the Patriot air defense systems.
"There will be some systems where they will have to ration their ammunition even more than they are at the moment … It could be a case that they have to just not engage some targets, because they don’t have enough interceptors to go around," Jimmy Rushton, a Kiev-based defense analyst, was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
This comes as Russia unleashed, overnight into Friday, December 29, its biggest air attack on Ukraine since the start of the war, with an unprecedented volume of drones and missiles launched at various locations throughout the country. Simultaneously, Ukraine was overwhelmed by the attack and pleaded with Western allies to fulfill their commitment to delivering defensive missiles as pledged.
It is worth noting that Ukraine executed an indiscriminate strike on the Russian city of Belgorod on December 30, utilizing cluster-mounted Vilkha missiles and shells from a Czech-made RM-70 Vampire multiple-launch rocket system.
Read next: West using Ukraine to 'settle its problems' with Russia: Putin
Britain to send 200 air defense missiles to Ukraine
Following a series of Russian strikes, UK Defense Minister Grant Shapps stated, on December 29, that Britain would deliver roughly 200 air-defense missiles to Ukraine.
Shapps posted on X that the UK was "moving rapidly to bolster Ukraine's air defense," explaining that this was done to ensure Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself ...".
The missiles would replenish Britain's air defense systems, which are "capable" of shooting down Russian drones and missiles "with incredible accuracy," according to the Ministry of Defense.
The advanced short-range air-to-air missiles (ASRAAM) made in the United Kingdom are meant to be launched from aircraft such as the Typhoon and F-35 fighter planes.
The ministry claimed that the missiles had been proven to be "very effective yet low-cost solutions to the frontline to meet urgent requirements", with a reported hit rate of as high as 90 percent against some Russian air targets.
"Ukrainian operators have become adept at their usage and have asked for more missiles to protect their country," the ministry added.
How the West is 'quietly shifting' its Ukraine strategy: Politico
Citing numerous unidentified sources, Politico reported on December 27 that the US and the EU have abandoned their goal of "total victory" against Russia in favor of a negotiated settlement that may give some territory to Moscow.
Both the White House and the Pentagon have publicly said there has been no formal change in policy. However, according to Politico's Michael Hirsh, two unidentified US government officials, including a White House spokesperson, and a European ambassador expressed that this is not the case.
Hirsh detailed that American and European officials are now "discussing the redeployment" of Ukrainian soldiers away from the "mostly failed" counteroffensive and toward a defensive posture.
He also mentioned that while US President Joe Biden used to declare he would assist Ukraine for "as long as it takes," he is now saying for "as long as we can." With new aid funds stalled in Congress, the US administration is advocating for "rapidly resurrecting" Ukraine's defense sector.
Read next: Washington redirects thousands of missiles for Ukraine to "Israel"
