The leaked reports from the Department of Defense have revealed that Ukraine is running out of anti-aircraft missiles, specifically for the nation's Soviet-era S-300 and Buk surface-to-air missile systems, which make up around 89 percent of the country's air defense capabilities. (Related: Defense Department to boost production of artillery ammunition by 500% for Ukraine… but will take two years just to build the new factories.)
After more than a year of war, the Ukrainian Air Force (UAF) commented that the military faces a serious challenge of sourcing more of the Soviet-designed ammunition that forms the backbone of the nation's air defense systems.
According to the leaked reports, dated Feb. 23 and marked "Secret," the nation will run out of ammunition for its S-300 systems by May 2. The Buk air defense systems could run into trouble sourcing ammunition by mid-April. All other air defense platforms, especially the ones responsible for protecting Ukrainian troops on the frontlines, could be "completely reduced" by May 23.
The Pentagon's predictions for when Ukraine will run out of ammo for its different anti-air systems are based on the usage rates when the report was made. It is unclear if the usage rate has since changed.
Ukraine continues to beg its Western allies for more military aid
Col. Yuri Ihnat, a spokesman for the UAF, confirmed that the country's air defenses face a serious challenge and said Ukraine urgently needs its Western partners to speed up the delivery of military aid.
"If we lose the battle for the skies, the consequences for Ukraine will be very serious," he said, urging the country's Western allies to speed up their assistance. "This is not the time to procrastinate." Ihnat added that Kyiv needs more air defense systems to fully replace the depleted ones.
Since the beginning of the special military operation, the Russian Air Force's bombers, helicopter gunships and other air assets have been unable to venture too deep behind Ukraine's front lines due to the unexpected strength of Ukraine's air defenses, thanks in no small part to the aid given to the nation by its allies in the West.
As a result, Russia has only been able to strike deep inside Ukraine with expensive, difficult-to-take-down cruise missiles and long-range Iranian-supplied drones, rather than the more abundant and more powerful unguided bombs launched by aircraft and helicopters.
But in recent months, the Russians have been gaining more opportunities to attack Ukrainian forces.
The Pentagon noted that one of the likely consequences of the looming crisis in Ukraine's air defense capabilities is that Kyiv could eventually lose its ability to conduct counteroffensives.
This could put a damper on Kyiv's plan to launch a massive offensive to recapture territories occupied by Russia in the coming weeks, using reserve brigades trained and equipped by the U.S. and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
The Pentagon also warned that should Ukraine's air defense capabilities diminish, most of the country's critical national infrastructure outside of the Kyiv Oblast (province) and two areas in the country's southwest will no longer have air defense cover. This means that the number of unprotected critical sites could soar from six to more than 40.
Learn more about the deteriorating situation in Ukraine at UkraineWitness.com.
Watch this clip from "The American Journal" on InfoWars as host Harrison Smith discusses how the leaked Ukraine documents expose the Deep State's game plan for the country.
This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Zelensky admits Ukraine already OUT OF AMMO – another begging spree in the works.
UK's ammo stockpiles are "dangerously low" after sending generous military aid to Ukraine.
RUNNING OUT: Ukraine blowing through more ammo than NATO, US can manufacture and provide.
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