Ukraine has a requirement of over 500 Stinger anti-aircraft and Javelin Anti-tank missiles a day to keep on top of Russian forces trying to capture its cities.
According to several Ukrainian media reports, a request has been made to U.S. and NATO countries to urgently deliver hundreds of portable anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles as these have been highly effective against Russian tanks and armored vehicles.
During the first weeks of the war the United States and its allies handed over to Ukraine about 17,000 anti-tank and 2,000 anti-aircraft missiles.
In the absense of credible deterrence to protect its skies from Russian warplanes and missiles, Ukraine has to rely on defensive equipment such as the Stinger and Javelin missiles which can be deadly effective against armored vehicles and tanks at relatively close quarters.
Over the course of war that begain on February 24, Ukrainain armed forces have knocked down hundreds of Russian tanks, armored vehicles and helicopters. Reports say Russian Su-24 and Su-25 ground attack aircraft in their tens besides a couple of Su-34 bombers too have been down brought down by the American-made missile systems.
Russian tanks have a queer contraction welded to the top of the tank which experts believe is intended to deflect the top attack Javelin Anti-tank guided missiles. It is not know if they are effective at all.
On March 17, U.S. President Joe Biden authorised military aid to Ukraine including 800 Stinger anti-aircraft systems, 2,000 Javelin anti-tank missile systems, 1,000 light anti-armor weapons, 6,000 AT-4 anti-armor systems and 100 tactical unmanned aerial systems.
An illustration depicting "Saint Javelin," has appeared in various media and has become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance to Russian aggression. T-Shirts have been printed with "Saint Javelin" images and fund-raising events have these as banners.
"Good guys fire with Javelins," says T-Shirt message suggesting that the Ukrainians are the good guys while the Russians are the bad ones.