Ukraine Runs Out of Patriot Missiles As Trump and Zelensky Clash

Ukraine has exhausted its supply of Patriot interceptor missiles, a source familiar with the situation told CNN, exposing the country to further Russian ballistic attacks as a public dispute between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky intensifies.

The shortage coincides with U.S. pressure on Kyiv to stop attacking Russian energy facilities and a deal between Washington and Moscow to import Russian diesel.

Zelensky has said he feels betrayed by the agreement and intends to continue targeting Russian refineries.

For Kyiv, the immediate consequence is a diminished ability to protect energy infrastructure already under sustained attack.

Ballistic Defense Under Strain

The source told CNN on Thursday that “almost all the ballistic missiles from the last strike were not intercepted due to lack of the (interceptor) missiles.”

That assault, overnight into Wednesday, struck three power plants in Kyiv and targeted energy infrastructure in Kharkiv.

Four people were killed and 25 injured in Kyiv.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported intercepting four Russian ballistic missiles during the attack. CNN said that suggested Ukrainian forces had fired some of their remaining Patriot interceptors.

The U.S.-made missiles are among the few weapons Ukraine has that can intercept ballistic missiles.

They are costly, however, and global supplies have tightened as countries expend stocks or reinforce their defenses during the Iran war.

Ukraine has faced similar shortages before. During CNN’s August visit to a Patriot battery, Ukrainian officials said interceptor supplies were nearly exhausted.

That month, Zelensky said Ukraine had only a tenth of the interceptors it urgently needed.

In September, he announced that Kyiv would obtain a U.S. license to manufacture Patriot missiles, but Trump did not confirm his agreement and no license followed.

Resupply Becomes a Political Flashpoint

Zelensky has linked any suspension of attacks on Russian energy infrastructure to additional air defenses, telling the Financial Times that more Patriot interceptors would be a minimum requirement.

He also accused Washington of restricting satellite services after Kyiv sought greater protection.

“When he asked for more air defenses, the American response was to weaken Starlink’s service,” Zelensky said.

The dispute has widened as Trump blames the Ukraine-Russia war for rising global diesel prices ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, although the Iran war has played a larger role in the increases.

Two European officials told CNN that Washington warned Ukraine and European allies over the weekend that continued attacks on Russian fuel infrastructure could prompt restrictions on weapons purchases and intelligence sharing.

The warnings came from the State Department and the Pentagon, and the U.S. military also communicated directly with Ukrainian commanders.

Trump has subsequently maintained that intelligence sharing continues.

Suspending European purchases through the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) would jeopardize future Patriot deliveries, adding uncertainty to Kyiv’s efforts to replenish depleted stocks.

Satellite Restrictions Add to Pressure

Ukraine is also dealing with disruptions to Starshield, SpaceX's military-grade satellite service.

Ukrainian authorities said restrictions this week affected military logistics, operations and efforts to intercept jet-powered drones.

Officials offered differing assessments on Thursday.

A Ukrainian Defense Ministry source said operations had resumed, while Zelensky and Kyiv’s top diplomat in Washington, Denys Sienik, indicated that some limitations persisted.

Sienik said speeds had improved but had not returned to their previous level.

SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk said the U.S. government owns and controls Starshield systems and that the U.S. military and the president decide on usage restrictions.

A senior U.S. official disputed presidential involvement, telling CNN that “no such request (for restrictions) was ever made by the President.”