Ukraine Braces for Toughest Winter as Russian Strikes Expose Patriot Missile Shortages
Updated
Updated · Inkl · Aug 3
Ukraine Braces for Toughest Winter as Russian Strikes Expose Patriot Missile Shortages
3 articles · Updated · Inkl · Aug 3
Summary
Ukraine is treating winter readiness as an urgent wartime priority, with officials warning the coming season could be harder than last year as Russia intensifies attacks on power and heating infrastructure.
Recent missile and drone strikes are seen as exploiting Kyiv's shortage of advanced air defenses, especially Patriot PAC-3 interceptors needed against ballistic missiles.
Zelenskyy last month installed former Naftogaz chief Sergii Koretskyi as prime minister, tying the reshuffle to protecting critical services and keeping the country functioning through winter.
Fire Point CEO Iryna Terekh said domestic missile-defense development cannot close the gap before winter, noting programs that normally take 20 to 30 years are being compressed into a few years.
U.S. support remains a decisive variable after Trump said on July 30 he had not decided whether to let Ukraine produce Patriot interceptors domestically, prompting fresh appeals from Zelenskyy and other allies.