Ukraine’s stock of Patriot missiles has run out, exposing it to unopposed Russian ballistic strikes as friction with Washington intensifies. A source familiar with the situation told CNN that nearly all missiles launched in the latest Russian barrage went unchallenged because of the shortage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously stated this scenario would unfold if new supplies were not delivered promptly.
Zelenskyy had placed millions of calls to allies in August to obtain additional missiles, but those efforts have not yielded results. On Thursday, he declared Ukraine would restart attacks on Russian refineries after Moscow rejected a temporary energy truce proposed by Donald Trump over the weekend. In remarks to the Financial Times, Zelenskyy cited ongoing Russian strikes on energy infrastructure, including 40 ballistic missiles fired this week, as justification for the decision.
The Kremlin’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, dismissed claims that Ukraine had paused its own strikes on Russian oil facilities. During a separate conversation with British commentator Piers Morgan, Zelenskyy criticized Trump’s interactions with Vladimir Putin, including a reported agreement to release diesel as global prices surged. He framed the move as a breach of sanctions, allowing Russia to prolong its invasion.
When asked by Morgan if he felt “betrayed by what was happening,” Zelenskyy said, “really, yes.” However, he noted that Ukraine’s relationship with the U.S. mattered more than his personal feelings. “Our country has to survive, and we count on our real partners, strategic partners, the United States and President Trump.”
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Trump’s position has undergone a dramatic reversal. On Saturday, he called for Zelenskyy’s removal, alleging the Ukrainian leader had refused to halt strikes on Russian refineries, a claim Trump linked to rising fuel costs, even though analysts attributed the spike to U.S.-Iran tensions. European partners, however, have reaffirmed their backing. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reassured Zelenskyy that Poland and the EU would uphold full support for Ukraine, cautioning that Russia might escalate unconventional attacks against Western countries.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy’s team has intensified diplomatic efforts to secure alternative air defense systems, including S-300 and S-400 batteries from allied nations. A senior advisor confirmed that discussions with Turkey and the Czech Republic remain active, though no firm commitments have been secured. The delay risks leaving Ukrainian cities increasingly exposed to precision-guided munitions, which Russia has deployed with growing frequency in recent weeks.
Despite the political turbulence, Zelenskyy’s government has accelerated efforts to integrate donated Western weapons into active service. A defense ministry spokesperson announced that ATACMS missiles supplied by the U.S. had achieved a 72% operational readiness rate within six weeks of delivery, exceeding initial projections. The spokesperson attributed the efficiency to accelerated training programs for artillery units in Lviv and Dnipro.