Air defences fail to intercept any ballistic missiles as Ukraine calls for more Patriots

Ukraine's air defences have failed to intercept any of the 29 ballistic missiles launched by Russia during the attack on the night of 5-6 July, highlighting the shortage of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defence systems capable of engaging ballistic targets.

Source: Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Colonel Yurii Ihnat on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast

Quote: "The success rate is low, to put it mildly. To shoot down ballistic missiles, you need the assets to do so. We have enough systems, but what we need is a steady supply of missiles. Russia is exploiting the fact that Ukraine – and indeed the world – is facing a serious shortage of PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptor missiles. That is why it is increasingly focusing on ballistic missile strikes."

Details: Ihnat noted that, in his evening address the previous day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had placed particular emphasis on the need for missiles for the Patriot system.

Ahead of the large-scale attack, the president had addressed both the Ukrainian public and, above all, the country's international partners, warning that Russia was preparing a massive strike and that intelligence reports had indicated it would involve a wide range of weapons, including a large number of ballistic missiles.

Ihnat said Ukraine would continue to use every available diplomatic channel to strengthen the country's air defence capabilities.

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