Ukraine's air defences failed to intercept any Russian ballistic missiles, air force says

Ukraine's air defences failed to intercept any of the 29 ballistic missiles launched by Russia during the attack overnight on 6 July, air force spokesperson Colonel Yurii Ihnat confirmed, saying the interception “success rate is low, to put it mildly.”

Ihnat stated bluntly that Ukraine does not have the means to counter Russia’s ballistic missiles.

“To shoot down ballistic missiles, you need the assets to do so. We have enough systems, but what we need is a steady supply of missiles.”

He also said that Moscow is aware of this shortage and “is exploiting the fact that Ukraine, and indeed the world, is facing a serious shortage of PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptor missiles.”

“That is why it is increasingly focusing on ballistic missile strikes."

Ihnat said Ukraine would continue to use every available diplomatic channel to strengthen the country's air defence capabilities.

Ukraine’s ambassador to the EU, Vsevolod Chentsov, told Euronews' flagship morning show “Europe Today” that the Kremlin is sending a clear message with its attack.

“Russia is sending its message that they want to continue this war,” he said.

“But definitely, both Ukraine and our allies will send our message back because war is going back to Russia. And Ukraine already has its answer, and we call it kinetic sanctions.”

Chentsov referred to Kyiv’s intensified mid- and long-range strikes into Russia and Moscow-occupied territories of Ukraine. But he admitted that apart from Kyiv’s strike campaign, which puts pressure on Russia’s war machine, Ukraine urgently needs anti-ballistic air defences.