Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that the country's stockpiles of anti-aircraft missiles have fallen by half, citing a massive Russian strike on Kyiv and its surrounding region that killed 17 civilians overnight.
The disclosure underscores the intensifying strain on Ukraine's air-defense capabilities as Russian forces continue to target urban centers with high-intensity bombardments.
The warning comes as Kyiv faces mounting pressure to secure additional military aid ahead of the winter season.
Zelensky previously acknowledged that Ukraine remains unprepared for the coming months, highlighting vulnerabilities in logistics, grain handling, and agricultural infrastructure.
The depletion of air-defense reserves adds a new layer of urgency to these logistical challenges, as the country seeks to protect both civilian populations and critical energy assets from further degradation.
The development is likely to intensify diplomatic efforts by Western allies to accelerate defense deliveries.