Ukraine has some of the world’s most advanced air defense systems currently sitting idle because it is running out of the missiles it needs to use them – even as Russia intensified its campaign of ballistic and cruise missile strikes across the country.
On Tuesday, August 18, Ukraine once again saw the damage that Russia can do when two cruise missiles struck Pechenihy in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region.
MSTA Russian Artillery Creative Commons Image
Russian Artillery Creative Commons Image
The strikes killed 10 people and injured at least 18, and came just a day after CNN revealed that at least one Ukrainian Patriot battery has now gone weeks without firing a single missile as Kyiv struggles to obtain replacement interceptors.
Russia Kills 10 In Kharkiv
The August 18 attack struck a central intersection in Pechenihy near a post office, stores, and residential buildings, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office said Russia used two Banderol cruise missiles in the attack.
The attack saw ten private homes, a cafe, a post office, several stores, and at least 15 vehicles damaged, according to local officials.
The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission also said it was still gathering information about the strike.
MSTA Artillery Firing Creative Commons Image
According to Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office, the attack occurred at around 8:40 am and involved two Banderol cruise missiles.
The strike comes as Russia dramatically expands its long-range air campaign while Ukraine struggles with a shortage of Patriots, the U.S.-made interceptor missiles that are currently the only proven and battle-tested way to intercept Russian missiles in Ukraine.
What Zelenskyy Said
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack in a statement on Tuesday, saying Russian forces had struck a busy intersection surrounded by civilian buildings.
“This morning, the Russians launched a brutal attack on a busy intersection in Pechenihy, Kharkiv region – a location with a post office and stores, surrounded only by residential buildings,” Zelenskyy said.
“As of now, 10 people have been reported killed. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Many people have been injured and are receiving all necessary medical care.
First responders have already extinguished the fire, and all emergency and response services continue working at the site.
All the circumstances of this tragedy are being established,” he continued.
The Ukrainian president also promised to “definitely respond” to the strike and urged partners to support its “kinetic responses” with new actions designed to “put pressure on Russia and support Ukraine.”
Ukraine’s Patriot Launchers Are Sitting Empty
Ukraine’s shortage of Patriot interceptors is well documented, and President Zelenskyy has made it no secret.
In fact, it is perhaps the most pressing topic of the president’s nightly updates to the Ukrainian people and world leaders, with Zelenskyy repeatedly calling on Western leaders and allies to rapidly accelerate expected deliveries of new interceptors.
CNN reporters were recently given rare access to a Ukrainian Patriot unit positioned in a cornfield, where they found a launcher with empty missile canisters.
The network did not disclose the location or exact configuration for security reasons, but reported on Monday, August 17, that the launcher had last been used roughly 10 weeks earlier.
Dmytro, the battery’s chief engineer, told the outlet that the problem extended beyond that one launcher, and that he had not seen a single Patriot missile fired in as long as six weeks.
“It’s really a terrible sight when you have the equipment, but you can’t intercept a single missile,” Dmytro said.
“Ballistic missiles fly over your head, and you can do nothing about them, while civilians are behind you,” he continued, adding, “It’s hard to describe—strong and bad feelings.
It’s like you’re learning to walk, but you can’t walk. You know how to breathe, but you can’t breathe.”
The consequences of the shortage are really showing in Ukraine.
During Russia’s massive August 5 attack, Moscow launched 24 ballistic missiles at Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Ukraine did not intercept a single ballistic missile in the strike – and since then, that has become a theme.
Ukraine is regularly failing to intercept a single ballistic missile during Ukrainian strikes.
Ukraine Wants More. Lots More.
During an interview with CNN published on August 13, the president said Ukraine has access to the equivalent of roughly 1% of the U.S. Patriot missile stockpile.
He also urged Washington to provide more urgently.
“If they sell us 5%, we will go through the winter and save people’s lives. If they can sell us 10%, we will destroy all the Russians’ ballistic missiles,” he said.
Zelenskyy said that securing Patriot missiles has involved months of negotiations and “millions” of phone calls, with Kyiv exploring various ways of obtaining additional missiles from multiple sources.
For now, though, Ukraine’s Patriot launchers remain largely empty, while Russia expands its ballistic missile campaign and prepares for a winter that could be dominated by attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
About the Author: Jack Buckby
Jack Buckby is a British researcher and analyst specializing in defense and national security, based in New York. His work focuses on military capability, procurement, and strategic competition, producing and editing analysis for policy and defense audiences. He brings extensive editorial experience, with a career output spanning over 1,000 articles at 19FortyFive and National Security Journal, and has previously authored books and papers on extremism and deradicalization.
