Nato is working to supply Ukraine with the air defence systems it “urgently needs”, the alliance’s secretary general said, after Kyiv reported that none of the Russian ballistic missiles fired during an overnight attack were intercepted. The push comes after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged allies to increase deliveries of Patriot interceptors, warning that Moscow is trying to expand ballistic missile production ahead of winter. Nato Steps Up Urgent Air Defence PushSpeaking at a meeting of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council on winter resilience, Zelenskyy said he had pressed for faster action following discussions with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte. Zelenskyy said allies should remove obstacles to decision-making and stressed that each day without the necessary support affects lives in Ukraine. He also said Ukraine would not rule out the possibility that delays to missile supplies from western partners were intended to make Kyiv more willing to compromise in any peace process. Russia launched 24 ballistic missiles during the overnight attack on Wednesday, according to Ukrainian and Reuters reporting. At least 17 people were killed, with preliminary data from the Ukrainian air force indicating that 98 of 115 drones were intercepted, but that no ballistic missiles were shot down. Zelenskyy Warns Of Missile Production DriveZelenskyy also said that in the first half of 2026, air defence missile supplies from Ukraine’s allies had fallen to about one third of the level recorded in 2025. He warned that Russia intends to significantly increase ballistic missile output as winter approaches, when it is expected to intensify strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Ukraine’s defence technology adviser Serhii Beskrestnov estimated that Russia could fire up to 100 ballistic missiles each month at targets including logistics hubs, industrial sites, food stocks and warehouses. He said on Telegram that the conflict’s “war of attrition” was entering a further phase. Patriot Shortage And Existing CoverageUkraine has been short of US-made Patriot interceptors capable of countering Russian ballistic missiles since the start of the war. The shortage has intensified in recent weeks, as Russian strikes have struck Kyiv, on average, every three days in July. According to the Ukrainian air force, Patriot systems are the only platform currently in service that can intercept Russian Iskander-M, S-400 and Zircon missiles. Ukraine says Russia often combines ballistic missiles with cruise missiles, drones and decoys, forcing defenders to track a larger number of threats while rationing limited interceptor stocks. Ukraine says it lacks enough batteries and interceptors to protect itself properly. The shortfall has been linked to increased demand after the US-Israel war on Iran, which has consumed large numbers of Patriot and other interceptor systems. An Associated Press analysis estimated the US Patriot inventory had fallen by at least 65% compared with before the war, while the Pentagon said it still holds a large stockpile. Production Plans And US Licensing TalksLockheed Martin delivered more than 600 Patriot interceptors of the newest model in 2025, and is working towards annual capacity of 2,000 by the end of 2030. However, some estimates say Gulf states fired more than 1,100 interceptors during the first three months of the Iran conflict, underscoring the scale of demand. Nato said Europe’s first Patriot production facility is expected to open in September in Germany. Separately, political signals from Washington have shifted. At a Nato summit last month, Donald Trump said the US would grant Ukraine a licence to produce Patriots, but about three weeks later he said he had not taken a final decision. Despite the doubts raised by Trump, Reuters reported that the US is continuing talks on allowing Ukraine to manufacture Patriot interceptors. The discussions include an option for Ukraine to produce some components for final assembly elsewhere in Europe. Join the discussion? 6 August 2026
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