The skies above Kyiv crackle with the sound of Russian missiles and drones—each explosion a reminder of the relentless war. Around January 19–20, 2026, Ukraine’s defense systems intercepted a major combined Russian attack, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the cost of the interceptor missiles alone was about €80 million—roughly $90–100 million—for that single period of fighting.
As Ukraine burns through its air-defense resources, Zelenskyy has sounded the alarm that intelligence indicates Russia is preparing another large-scale “massive strike” in the coming days. How long can Ukraine hold out as the stakes rise?
Escalating barrage
Russia has intensified its barrages, launching waves of missiles and drones in single operations. In one such attack, Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia used 18 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, one anti-ship missile, and 339 drones, of which Ukrainian defenses downed 27 missiles and 315 drones.
Yet this relentless pace strains resources, and Zelenskyy fears Russia is preparing for an even larger assault. Can Ukraine hold its ground with stockpiles under constant pressure?
Invasion roots
Russia’s full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022, targeting Ukraine with missiles, drones, and artillery across multiple regions. Zelenskyy, elected president in 2019, has led his country’s defense through successive waves of attacks.
The U.S. and other allies have supplied systems such as Patriot and other air-defense platforms since 2023, but Russia’s ongoing escalation continually tests these critical defenses. Can Ukraine continue to resist as these lifelines come under constant strain?
Patriot lifeline
The U.S.-made Patriot system is one of Ukraine’s primary tools against Russia’s most advanced missile threats, especially certain ballistic and cruise missiles. Since 2023, these systems have intercepted high-end missiles, helping protect key infrastructure and cities.
Despite ongoing U.S. and allied support, the growing need for interceptors and other munitions threatens to outpace available supplies and production capacity. How long can partners continue to provide these vital resources at the necessary scale?
€80M inferno
Zelenskyy revealed that a recent large-scale Russian attack cost Ukraine about €80 million (roughly $90–100 million) in air-defense missiles for just one night or day of fighting.
As Russian tactics grow more aggressive, combining massed drone and missile strikes, he warns that this may be just the beginning of even larger and more destructive attacks.
Grid under siege
Russian attacks have severely damaged Ukraine’s energy grid, triggering dangerous blackouts during harsh winter months.
Millions face bitter cold as strikes target infrastructure, and air-defense efforts aim to protect civilian areas, but each night’s defense consumes resources that could otherwise support long-term reconstruction and resilience. How many more attacks can Ukraine survive before it crumbles under the strain?
Voices from frontlines
Zelenskyy has highlighted the human and economic cost of Russia’s escalating strikes, calling the war an “extremely expensive Russian luxury” for Moscow and a source of severe losses for Ukraine.
“Today’s Russian attack cost us, only in missiles, about €80 million,” he told journalists, underscoring how difficult it is to secure enough munitions and funding. With air-defense crews operating around the clock, Ukraine is defending not just cities but families fighting for survival.
Russia adapts
Russia is adapting its tactics, mixing ballistic and cruise missiles with waves of Shahed-type kamikaze drones and other cheaper systems. This approach aims to deplete Ukraine’s air defenses and exploit any gaps in coverage.
The growing reliance on inexpensive drones forces Ukraine to expend far costlier interceptors unless it can field large numbers of cheaper counter-drones, creating a dangerous imbalance.
Cost imbalance
Each interceptor missile fired from high-end systems such as Patriot can cost millions of dollars, while many Russian drones and some missiles are far cheaper.
In major attacks, Ukraine’s defense costs can approach or exceed tens of millions of dollars in a single night, as shown by the roughly €80 million in missiles used in one recent barrage.
With U.S. and European taxpayers funding much of the aid, questions loom over how long this economic model can hold without changes in strategy or production.
Global stock crunch
The U.S. and other allies are struggling to meet global demand for Patriot interceptors and other advanced munitions as Ukraine’s requests draw heavily on reserves.
These missiles are vital to Ukraine’s defense, but ramping up production takes time, and existing stockpiles were not built for a prolonged high-intensity war.
Ukraine estimates it needs tens of billions of dollars’ worth of arms imports in 2026, raising doubts about whether suppliers can keep pace.
Timely delivery
Shipments of new air-defense missiles and other interceptors arrived shortly before some of Russia’s latest large attacks, preventing critical gaps in Ukraine’s defenses.
But experts and officials warn that Ukraine cannot endure repeated massive strikes without consistent, on-time resupply. Delays in delivery could make the difference in the next major battle.
Zelenskyy pleads
Zelenskyy’s frustration is evident as he urges more support from Ukraine’s allies, warning that current supplies are inadequate for the scale of the threat.
With stocks under pressure and Russia preparing for new large-scale strikes, he argues that the international community must act faster.
Production limits and political debates over aid are looming threats to Ukraine’s ability to keep its skies defended.
Aid shifts
While the U.S. continues to provide critical air-defense support, European partners have also pledged substantial new funding and military assistance packages worth tens of billions of euros.
Ukraine still faces a large projected funding and arms gap for 2026, and the slow pace of defense-industrial expansion means delivery delays remain a serious concern. Can transatlantic unity overcome these bottlenecks?
Replenish push
Ukraine is pushing hard for more advanced interceptors such as additional Patriot missiles and for spare parts and munitions for systems including F‑16s that are expected to bolster its air force.
The U.S. and partners have committed hundreds of millions of dollars to restocking advanced systems and expanding production, but scaling up lines for complex missiles and aircraft components can take years.
Will the defense industry meet the growing demand in time to blunt Russia’s next major blow?
Expert doubts
Analysts question whether the global defense industry can ramp up quickly enough to meet Ukraine’s needs while also covering other security commitments.
Even significant increases in production capacity could take years to fully materialize, leaving a dangerous near-term window.
As Russia’s attacks intensify and Ukraine’s air-defense spending soars, the race between industrial output and battlefield demand is tightening.
Sources:
“Zelenskyy: Repelling Russian attack cost €80m, Russia has more missiles.” Ukrainska Pravda (English edition), 19 Jan 2026.
“Today’s Russian attack cost Ukraine 80 million euros – head of state.” Ukrinform, 19 Jan 2026.
“Russia planning large-scale attack against Ukraine, Kyiv warns.” The Kyiv Independent, 18 Jan 2026.
“Patriot Missile Stockpile Concerns Grow, Pentagon Claims It Has Enough.” The War Zone / The Drive, 7 Jul 2025.