--- title: "\"Only Two Missiles Left\": Patriot Stockpiles in Ukraine Critically Depleted Amid Strained Ties with Washington" description: "According to the Kyiv Independent, the Washington Post, and CNN, Patriot missile stockpiles in Ukraine are critically depleted: some sources say two missiles remain, others say zero. This comes against a backdrop of deteriorating relations between Kyiv and Washington." date: 2026-10-16T20:45:04.620Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/patriot-missiles-ukraine-critically-depleted tags: [ukraine, patriot-missiles, air-defense, russia-ukraine-war, trump, zelensky, energy-infrastructure] author: "Marina Slivenko" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # "Only Two Missiles Left": Patriot Stockpiles in Ukraine Critically Depleted Amid Strained Ties with Washington ![Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaking at a podium with a Patriot missile system launcher in the background](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/16/patriot-rakety-ukrainy-kriticheski-iskherpany/patriot-rakety-ukrainy-kriticheski-iskherpany-1.webp) ## Key Points - Washington Post citing a Ukrainian official: by October 7, Ukraine had 10 Patriot missiles, after repelling attacks two remain. - CNN citing sources claims that Patriot missile stockpiles in Ukraine are completely exhausted. - October 13–14, Russia launched 39 ballistic missiles at energy infrastructure in Kyiv and central Ukraine; according to CNN, almost all breached air defense. - Patriot missiles are considered Ukraine's only means for reliably intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. - Amid the deficit, relations between Kyiv and Washington are worsening: conflict over energy strikes and Russian diesel purchases; on October 15, Trump criticized Zelensky. On October 16, the Kyiv Independent reported that a number of American and Ukrainian media outlets simultaneously claimed that the arsenal of Patriot air defense missile systems in Ukraine is exhausted. According to the report, stockpiles of interceptors are shrinking at an "alarming rate," making their scarcity a key factor in the vulnerability of Ukraine's air defense ahead of the winter season, when, according to sources, Moscow is scaling up missile strikes. ### Critical Shortage of Interceptors A Ukrainian official speaking to the Washington Post stated that as of October 7, the country had only ten Patriot missiles left, most of which were expended repelling attacks, and currently only two remain. The Ukrainian outlet 24tv, citing the same WP sources and a NATO representative, reported that the remainder is estimated at "just a few" munitions. Meanwhile, CNN, citing informed sources, is more categorical: its data suggests that Patriot missile stockpiles in Kyiv are completely exhausted. Thus, while the exact figure of the remaining stockpile varies across open sources, all interlocutors agree on the critical nature of the deficit. ### Air Defense Breach in October The practical significance of this shortage became apparent on October 13 and 14, when Russia reportedly launched 39 ballistic missiles at three thermal power plants in Kyiv, as well as at energy infrastructure in the capital and central Ukraine. According to CNN sources, almost all these missiles breached the air defense systems. The Washington Post's interlocutors emphasize that due to the lack of ammunition, defense forces were unable to intercept individual targets during the latest mass strike. ### From Allies' Promises to Deteriorating Relations For several months, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called on allies to provide additional Patriot systems and missiles. In August, he stated that Ukraine could shoot down any Russian ballistic missile if the US sold Kyiv about 10% of its interceptor arsenal. In September, he said there was hope: Zelensky announced that US President Donald Trump had agreed to allow Ukraine to produce missiles of this type. However, in recent weeks, relations between Kyiv and Washington have been steadily deteriorating. The main conflict revolves around Trump's demand to stop attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, which the Ukrainian leader largely rejects. An additional irritant was the agreement announced by Trump to purchase Russian diesel fuel, despite the sanctions Washington had imposed on Moscow. On October 15, a few days after declaring the need for a "new president" for Ukraine, Trump criticized Zelensky again, stating he was "not fit for cooperation with America." Zelensky responded: "I think Trump's advisers were wrong. I don't know who is pushing him in the wrong direction." ### Context: Global Interceptor Deficit The Washington Post notes that a global deficit of interceptor missiles was sparked by the war in the Middle East: in the first month of hostilities against Iran alone, the US military reportedly expended over a thousand Patriot and THAAD missiles, after which Washington focused on increasing its own production. In these conditions, Ukraine, according to the interlocutors, has effectively been left without high-tech weaponry, which all sources emphasize is the only means capable of reliably intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. ## Accounts differ ### Remaining Patriot Interceptor Missiles in Ukraine - **Ukrainian Official (as reported by Washington Post):** As of October 7, Ukraine had 10 Patriot missiles, most expended repelling attacks, currently two remain. ([vietnam.vn](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/washington-post-ukraine-chi-con-dung-2-qua-ten-lua-patriot)) - **Ukrainian Official / NATO Representative (as reported by 24tv citing WP):** By early October, about ten munitions remained, after repelling attacks — "just a few." ([24tv.ua](https://24tv.ua/ru/rakety-perehvatchiki-dlja-patriot-ukraina-ischerpala-zapasy_n3161638)) - **CNN (citing informed sources):** Patriot missile stockpiles in Ukraine are completely exhausted. ([vietnam.vn](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/washington-post-ukraine-chi-con-dung-2-qua-ten-lua-patriot)) *Where they agree:* All sources confirm a critical depletion of Patriot missile stockpiles, which are Ukraine's only means of reliably intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Washington Post: У Украины осталось всего две ракеты Patriot.](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/washington-post-ukraine-chi-con-dung-2-qua-ten-lua-patriot) - Basis source: statement of Ukrainian official to WP (10 missiles as of Oct 7, then 2), CNN claim of complete exhaustion, 39 ballistic missile strike on Oct 13-14, chronology of Zelensky and Trump statements (August, September, Oct 15). - ["Осталось всего несколько": у Украины закончились ракеты для систем Patriot – WP](https://24tv.ua/ru/rakety-perehvatchiki-dlja-patriot-ukraina-ischerpala-zapasy_n3161638) - Confirms WP data: about 10 munitions by early October, then "just a few"; inability to intercept individual targets; global deficit due to Middle East war, US expenditure of >1000 Patriot and THAAD missiles in first month against Iran. ## FAQ ### How many Patriot missiles are reportedly left in Ukraine? A Ukrainian official told the Washington Post that the country had 10 missiles by October 7, and after repelling attacks, only two remained. CNN, citing sources, claims that stockpiles are completely exhausted. The exact figure varies across open sources, but all parties confirm a critical shortage. ### Why are Patriot missiles considered critical for Ukraine? According to sources, this is the only weapon in Ukraine's possession capable of reliably intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. Against this backdrop, on October 13–14, CNN reported that almost all 39 launched ballistic missiles breached air defense. ### How is the missile shortage linked to Kyiv-Washington relations? The deficit coincided with deteriorating relations: conflict over Trump's demand to stop energy strikes and agreements on purchasing Russian diesel. On October 15, Trump stated that Zelensky was "not fit for cooperation with America," which the Ukrainian leader called a mistake by his advisers.