One of the biggest challenges for Ukraine’s air defense is the Russian ballistic missiles, which can only be countered by Patriot systems. Currently, all the ballistic missiles used by Russian forces were manufactured in late 2025–early 2026, according to Serhiy “Flash” Beskrestnov, advisor to the Ukrainian Minister of Defense, on Telegram.
“When we talk about a long-term war of attrition, in terms of ballistic missile challenges, it looks like a confrontation between Russian production and the international assistance provided to Ukraine in supplying Patriot missiles. All the ballistic missiles coming at us were made in late 2025–early 2026, meaning we are effectively being attacked with factory-new missiles. The Iskander is made 90% from Russian components, with 60 units produced per month. There are also other missiles, such as the S-300/400 series,” Flash emphasized.
He noted that international partners are unlikely to be able to continuously supply anti-ballistic missiles. At the same time, there is a solution, but it must be comprehensive.
“What is the solution, you ask? It is comprehensive. It starts with Ukraine’s participation in the development of anti-ballistic systems (both domestic and joint projects with other countries) and extends to the need to shelter and protect all our critical facilities, both military and civilian. Any of our thermal power plants or 750 kW substations must be able to withstand missile strikes,” he said.
He added that ballistic missile production is very expensive, so the fewer financial resources the Russian forces has, the fewer missiles they will be able to produce.
