Russian ballistic missiles are striking Ukrainian urban centers as national interceptor supplies fall to minimal levels, The Economist reports. F-16 fighter jets are also running low on AIM-120 and AIM-9 missiles used to shoot down cruise missiles, while Russia produces approximately 100 missiles a month. For five days leading up to September 1, Kyiv faced nearly hourly attacks from jet-powered drones and ballistic missiles designed to overwhelm radar networks.

Ukraine is contracting 1,000 Patriot missiles via EU financing, though the delivery schedule is too slow to address current gaps in air defense. Kyiv has sought immediate transfers from Western inventories, but allies are hesitant to deplete their own shrinking stockpiles. This shortage contributed to the deaths of 437 civilians in July.