Russia leaps on Ukraine's missile interceptor shortage in bid to gain upper hand

Russia is attempting to wipe out Ukraine's months of wartime gains by capitalising on Kyiv's lack of ballistic missile interceptors.

Major General Vadym Skibitskiyi, Ukraine's Deputy Head of Intelligence, says Russia is reprioritising the production of ballistic and cruise missiles to exploit Ukrainian shortages of Patriot interceptor missiles.

Kyiv had benefited from a steady stream of Patriot interceptors donated by the US. However, the US has used up its stockpiles in its war with Iran, and Ukraine's European allies are struggling to plug the gap.

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Russia is capitalising on this shortage to ramp up its own production of ballistic missiles, as well as targeting Ukrainian missile facilities to prevent Kyiv building domestic models. 

To find out more about how Russia's tactic could spell hardship for Ukrainians this winter, watch our video above.