Ukraine Runs Out of Patriot Missiles as Russia Prepares Major Strikes on Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa Power Grids

Ukraine’s Energy Sector Under Threat

According to ХВИЛЯ: Ukraine has depleted its supply of missiles for the US-made Patriot defense systems, crucial for intercepting ballistic threats. According to American media, Russia is gearing up for a series of large-scale winter attacks targeting the power infrastructure of Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa. These assaults are expected to involve ballistic missiles, drones, and air-dropped bombs.

On the night of October 15, ballistic missiles struck three power plants in Kyiv and facilities in Kharkiv. The New York Times reports that Ukrainian forces managed to intercept only 4 out of 39 incoming ballistic missiles during this attack. In August 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Ukraine possessed just one-tenth of the necessary interceptor missiles. By September 2026, he announced that Ukraine was to receive a US license to manufacture these interceptor missiles domestically, but this license has yet to be granted.

Implications of Russia’s Planned Assaults

CNN reports that the US State Department and Pentagon have warned Ukraine and European allies about a potential halt in weapons deliveries under the PURL program, which supplies Patriot missiles. Documents obtained by The New York Times detail Russia’s plan to launch approximately 70 ballistic missiles, 720 long-range drones, and 150 guided bombs aimed at crippling the energy systems in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa. Ukrainian Air Force sources confirm that roughly this volume of ballistic missiles and drones penetrate Ukrainian air defenses every month.

If Russia’s offensive succeeds, these three cities could lose up to 90% of their electricity and heating services, with water supply and sewage systems also severely disrupted. Before the war, Kyiv’s three main thermal power plants had a combined capacity of around 1.3 gigawatts, meeting about 75% of the city’s winter energy needs. However, by autumn 2026, that capacity had dropped to roughly 500 megawatts. On October 13, 2026, Russia launched ballistic missile strikes against all three of Kyiv’s main power plants, additional thermal stations south of the city, and key substations. Ukraine Facility Platform has described these attacks on Kyiv’s energy infrastructure as a 'scorched earth tactic.'

"An informed CNN source stated that 'almost all ballistic missiles during the latest strike were not intercepted due to the shortage of interceptor missiles.'"

President Zelensky emphasized, "The country has only one-tenth of the interceptors needed," while also highlighting the ongoing delay in obtaining the license to produce them. Analyst Harry Nedelku commented, "The only leverage they have against Ukrainians is these aerial attacks. They have nothing else left."

The state of Ukraine’s air defense capabilities is becoming increasingly precarious. The exhaustion of Patriot missile stocks combined with the stalled licensing for producing new interceptors threatens the country’s energy security, especially in light of the imminent Russian attacks. Such developments risk causing significant humanitarian distress in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa, as their critical infrastructure faces severe damage.

As Ukraine braces for intensified attacks on its energy infrastructure, the recent events have left over 600,000 residents without power, highlighting the severe consequences of these military actions. The implications of such strikes are significant, not only for immediate energy needs but also for the safety and stability of urban areas like Kyiv. For a detailed account of the latest missile and drone assault and its impact, see this report on the situation in Kyiv and its aftermath here.