From June, when the Pentagon issued a new directive, Armament supplies for Ukraine have become irregular and smaller than previously assumed. Experts warn that if Russia maintains or increases the intensity of rocket and drone attacks, Ukrainian air defense forces may not be able to defend itself effectively.
According to the Financial Times, the current supply pace means that exhaustion of ammunition is only a matter of time.
Particularly worrying is that missiles ordered directly from producers as part of the Ukrainian security support initiative go to the front in the parties, which leads to breaks in deliveries.
Russian attacks and the reaction of the West
Last Sunday, Russia carried out the largest massive air attack on Ukraine since the beginning of the invasion. The Russian forces used 805 drones and 13 maneuvering and ballistic missiles. These attacks coincided with the land offensive towards key cities in the east of Ukraine.
In response to the growing threat, the European Union countries agreed to hand over Ukraine aerial defense systems and ammunition from their supplies, as well as buy additional equipment from the United States. However, as officials emphasize, these deliveries have just started to reach and are partially implemented.
Slowdown in deliveries from the USA
Problems with the supply of weapons from the United States began after a note prepared at the beginning of June by Elbridge Colby, the Chief Pentagon Policy official, addressed to the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegeth. The Ukrainian authorities have already signaled the need to increase support for air defense, but Moscow's recent activities have highlighted these fears even more.
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A representative of the White House assured that reports of alleged deprivation of Kiev is untrue. According to him, the War Department consciously works on satisfying the needs of Ukraine, including in the field of air defense.
Transatlantic cooperation and expectations towards Europe
The White House official also emphasized that President Donald Trump strives to end the fighting and recommended the United States to sell weapons to allies from NATO to supplement the deliveries made by European countries to Ukraine.
At the same time, he noted that European countries should take additional actions, such as the resignation from the purchase of Russian oil and exerting economic pressure on countries financially supporting the Russian war.
