Ukraine has run out of missiles for its US-made Patriot air defence systems, leaving the country more vulnerable to Russian ballistic missile attacks, citing a source familiar with the situation. The reported shortage comes as relations between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have deteriorated over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, a reported US-Russia diesel deal and the future of American military support for Kyiv. Patriot interceptors are among the few weapons capable of stopping Russian ballistic missiles. However, they are expensive and in limited supply globally, with demand rising as countries seek to strengthen their air defences amid the war involving Iran. A source familiar with Ukraine’s air defence situation that a large proportion of Russian ballistic missiles fired during a recent attack were not intercepted because Ukraine lacked sufficient interceptors. During the overnight assault extending into Wednesday morning, Russian ballistic missiles struck three power plants in Kyiv and targeted energy infrastructure in Kharkiv. The reported toll in Kyiv was four people killed and 25 injured. Pakistan Foreign Office Islamabad warns India against mistaking restraint for weakness Ukraine’s Air Force said it had intercepted four Russian ballistic missiles during the attack. The reported shortage has raised concerns about the country’s ability to protect its cities and critical infrastructure against further strikes. The latest development follows months of warnings from Zelensky about dwindling stocks of Patriot missiles. In August, Ukrainian officials said supplies had nearly run out, prompting the president to intensify efforts to secure additional ammunition from international partners. In September, Zelensky expressed hope that Ukraine could obtain a US licence to manufacture Patriot missiles domestically. Washington did not publicly confirm such an arrangement, and no licence was subsequently announced. The shortage is adding pressure on Kyiv as it seeks to maintain air defences while continuing its campaign against Russian military and energy targets. Zelensky has criticised Washington’s reported diesel agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin and vowed that Ukraine would continue striking Russian oil refineries. The Trump administration, meanwhile, has pressed Kyiv to halt attacks on Russian fuel facilities. In an interview with the Financial Times, Zelensky indicated that Ukraine could consider stopping strikes on Russian energy targets if it received additional Patriot interceptors. He also linked US restrictions on the Starshield satellite communications system to Washington’s wider pressure on Kyiv. On Wednesday, the Ukrainian president renewed his appeal for more military supplies, arguing that stronger Ukrainian defences and greater pressure on Russia could help bring peace closer. Two European officials have previously said Washington warned Ukraine and its European partners that weapons purchases and intelligence-sharing arrangements could be affected if Kyiv continued deep strikes against Russian energy infrastructure. Such restrictions could complicate future deliveries of Patriot interceptors through the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a mechanism under which European allies help finance purchases of US weapons for Ukraine. Trump has maintained that the United States has not stopped sharing intelligence with Kyiv. The dispute is unfolding amid concerns about rising fuel prices in the United States. Trump has blamed the Russia-Ukraine war for higher diesel costs, although the conflict involving Iran and disruptions to energy supplies have also contributed to pressure on global fuel markets. Ukraine is also facing disruptions to Starshield, a military-grade satellite communications service developed by SpaceX using the Starlink network. Ukrainian officials said restrictions introduced earlier in the week affected military operations, logistics and drone missions. The disruption reportedly complicated the use of Ukrainian drones, including systems designed to strike targets behind Russian lines and intercept incoming threats. Reuters reported on Thursday that an order to limit Starshield’s use in Ukraine came from within the White House, citing sources. The reported restrictions affected battlefield communications and drone guidance, although the extent of the limitations was modified. By Thursday, Ukrainian officials said the service had partially resumed, but some restrictions remained, particularly for military equipment travelling at high speeds. SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk has said the US government owns and controls Starshield, with decisions on its use resting with the US military or the president. A source in Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said officials were consulting the parties involved to establish the circumstances surrounding the restrictions. Ukraine’s senior diplomatic representative in Washington, Denys Sienik, said connection speeds had improved but had not fully returned to previous levels. Kyiv was seeking a complete restoration of the service. Another Ukrainian official said the country had not yet received a response from SpaceX or the Pentagon regarding the disruption. A Ukrainian drone commander also said restrictions on satellite connectivity had prevented some strike drones from reaching their targets on Wednesday. The commander said his unit did not carry out strikes on Thursday because of adverse weather, while other Ukrainian units continued operations. The reported depletion of Patriot missiles, uncertainty over future US military assistance and disruptions to satellite communications present additional challenges for Ukraine as Russian forces continue attacking its energy infrastructure. Post navigation Greenland Oil Trump says massive exploration of oil, gas and minerals is set to begin
