Ukraine is facing a shortage of missiles for the MIM-104 Patriot, NASAMS, and IRIS-T air defense systems, with some launchers already “half-empty” following months of intense Russian attacks.

Axar.az reports, citing UNN, head of communications for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, Yuriy Ihnat, made the statements.

“Today we find ourselves, as they say, on ‘starvation rations’ regarding missiles because there are certain supply problems,” Ihnat said, adding that Ukrainian officials are forced to “literally plead for just a few missiles — 5 to 10” for systems including Patriot, NASAMS and IRIS-T.

He said the depletion of missile stockpiles was driven by sustained Russian bombardments during the winter, including 15 large-scale strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

“The launchers within certain units and batteries are half-empty — to put it mildly,” Ihnat added, noting that global demand for air defense systems has also increased amid conflicts in the Middle East.