“We had zero missiles. We ran out of all missiles,” President Volodymyr Zelensky openly stated in an interview with PBS, commenting on the successful Russian air strike on the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant (TTP) near Kyiv. He explained that seven rockets were successfully shot down. The next four destroyed the TTP, which provided electricity to 3 million consumers. “We used all the available defence we had on that direction at that moment.”
“The president’s comment regarding the Trypillia TPP strike roughly shows the dire level of a disaster we are facing,” explains an officer of the Ukrainian Air Defence Forces, who wished to remain anonymous, to The Ukrainian Week.
He noted that overall, the problem lies not only in the fact that currently, due to the delay in American assistance, Ukraine critically lacks ammunition. There are several other factors to consider. For instance, the operation of Patriot systems in Ukraine is challenging due to a notable absence of short- and medium-range air defence systems, like the American Vampire anti-aircraft missile system. “This is why [because not all complexes have adequate protection, – Ed.] and the Patriot launchers were lost,” clarifies the officer.
An Air Defence Forces representative elaborates that our arsenal comprises close-range weapons such as MANPADS, anti-aircraft installations, and self-propelled anti-aircraft systems. Nonetheless, we’re encountering a challenge due to the inadequate supply of these weapons and missiles. We’re actively working on distributing these assets to ensure comprehensive coverage for military units and safeguard critical infrastructure, military installations, and beyond. Consequently, we’re exploring innovative strategies to impede enemy flight paths and bolster our frontline aviation defence.
“Just a year ago, our Western partners provided us with double the amount of missiles and ammunition we have now, but currently, our supplies are scarce and stretched thin. The truth is, without assistance, we’ll have to navigate challenging conditions, devising strategies to secure our airspace with the limited reserves we have. During this time, we’ve gained valuable experience in combat operations and refined our skills in managing air defence units efficiently. However, without avenues to replenish our ammunition and expand our air defence capabilities, our nation is at risk of suffering significant losses from enemy air strikes,” explains the military.
“We will carry out our work at any cost, as we are doing right now. This includes combat work, personnel training, coordination of air defence units, and the introduction of innovations for equipment and techniques that have become outdated. However, it is crucial to recognise that Western equipment models are a significant part of this system today, and unfortunately, we lack in that department,” – concluded the officer.
