Ukraine's West-Supplied Air Defense Stressed by Russian Firepower: Pentagon

The Pentagon announced today that the intense barrage from Russia on Ukraine’s Western-supplied air defense systems, such as Patriot, NASAMS, and IRIS-T, has significantly strained these defenses.

“Ukraine is getting air-defense systems from a variety of nations, and they have managed to cobble together an integrated air-defense system that incorporates different systems, radars, launchers and more,” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a press conference today. “Unfortunately, the volume of fire Russia has employed against Ukraine has stressed this system.”

The mobile missile defense system includes radar, a control station, power generators, launch stations, and support vehicles. Its capabilities depend on the interceptor type, which targets and neutralizes incoming hostile missiles.

The United States recently announced a new aid package for Ukraine, which includes additional air-defense systems and artillery. President Joe Biden affirmed Washington’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, announcing forthcoming support measures in collaboration with international allies. Biden also plans to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this week.

Zelensky previously noted that Ukraine possesses only 25% of the necessary air defense resources, emphasizing the need for additional Patriot systems to effectively counter Russian offensives, particularly in the Kharkiv region.

In June, the U.S. paused Patriot interceptor missile deliveries to redirect these critical assets to Ukraine, affecting nations dependent on U.S. missile supplies. The redirected missiles, including those for NASAMS, are expected to arrive in Ukraine by the end of summer, coinciding with the deployment of U.S.-made F-16s.

The attack on a Kyiv children's hospital today starkly highlights the ongoing hostilities. As the NATO summit in Washington commences, focusing on the alliance's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Ryder condemned the hospital attack. Ryder reiterated the U.S. commitment to providing Ukraine with the necessary air-defense capabilities and emphasized the importance of a long-term strategy to ensure Ukraine’s future defense.