Ukraine-Russia War Enters Sky Battle in Year 5 as Patriot Shortage Blunts Defenses
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 14
Ukraine-Russia War Enters Sky Battle in Year 5 as Patriot Shortage Blunts Defenses
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 14
Summary
Ukraine and Russia have shifted into a decisive air war, with drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles now driving the conflict as ground fighting grinds into stalemate.
40,000 Russian casualties in June underscore the land war's costliness for scant gains, while Ukraine says Russia seized or infiltrated territory at an attrition rate 19 times higher than a year earlier.
Patriot shortages have become the key vulnerability: Zelensky said Ukraine downed drones and cruise missiles in the July 6 attack but lacked interceptors to stop a single ballistic missile.
About 60 Iskander missiles a month are being produced by Russia, while Ukraine is using longer-range drones to hit oil sites and military targets deep inside Russia and to pressure Crimea and the Black Sea.
The shift leaves Western air-defense support at a decisive moment, with U.S. interceptor stocks strained after heavy missile use against Iran.