Ukraine runs out of Patriot missiles, CNN reports

Ukraine has run out of missiles for its US-made Patriot air defense systems, leaving the country more vulnerable to Russian ballistic missile attacks, CNN reported, citing a knowledgeable source. The shortage meant nearly all ballistic missiles from a recent Russian strike were not intercepted, with three thermal power plants in Kyiv and energy infrastructure in Kharkiv hit on the night of October 14. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly warned about the depletion of these interceptors, which are expensive and scarce globally. This is not the first time Ukraine has exhausted its Patriot interceptors. In August, Zelensky said Ukraine had only a tenth of the interceptors needed, and while he later claimed licenses for Patriot missile production would be granted by the US, they were never provided. Tensions have since risen between Zelensky and President Donald Trump over US imports of Russian diesel and pressure on Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil facilities.