The share of Russian missiles intercepted by Ukraine's air defense has dramatically decreased

The share of Russian missiles intercepted by Ukraine's air defense has dramatically decreased 0

The share of missiles intercepted by Ukraine's air defense in the first half of January was 36%, while the average figure since October 2022 was 60%, writes The Kyiv Independent.

The share of Russian missiles that Ukraine manages to destroy with air defense systems has decreased recently. Such conclusions are published on Wednesday, January 14, by the online publication The Kyiv Independent, citing experts from the investment company Dragon Capital.

Analyzing the reports of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the authors calculated that in the first two weeks of January 2026, Ukraine managed to shoot down 26 out of 73 missiles launched by Russia. This corresponds to a share of 36%. Meanwhile, the average figure in this area since October 2022 is 60%, the publication notes.

During the repulsion of a nighttime air attack by the Russian Armed Forces on several cities in Ukraine on January 12-13, the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to their own data, managed to destroy only two out of 18 missiles, the authors state.

In the first two weeks of the current year, Russia launched 1852 drones at Ukraine, 83% of which were shot down.

Shortage of ammunition for Ukraine's air defense systems

For attacks on Ukraine, Russia employs UAVs, ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, which predominantly target the country's energy infrastructure. As The Kyiv Independent points out, to counter these attacks, Ukraine uses missile defense systems, interceptor drones, mobile defensive means - pickups with mounted machine guns - as well as fighters and helicopters to shoot down missiles and drones.

Meanwhile, the ability to conduct air defense depends on the availability of ammunition, including those used in the Patriot PAC-3 systems, which Ukraine lacks. "We do not have enough missiles and radars to fulfill our task," the publication quotes a colonel serving in Ukraine's Eastern Air Command under the call sign Free. According to him, Ukraine's radars are destroyed by the enemy every day.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called on Western partners to strengthen assistance to Kyiv in the field of air defense.