Russia's Ballistic Missiles Overwhelm Ukraine's Air Defenses

Russia's ballistic missiles are increasingly penetrating Ukraine's air defenses, leaving cities like Kyiv exposed to devastating attacks. Unlike cruise missiles, ballistic missiles descend at several times the speed of sound, giving defenders only minutes or even seconds to react. Ukraine reports that only the US-made Patriot system can intercept these threats, but it lacks sufficient batteries and interceptors. A recent barrage on Kyiv targeted a brewery, a warehouse, and a mail-sorting office, killing at least 17 people and wounding dozens more, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. Thomas Withington, an expert at the Royal United Services Institute, compared the challenge to catching a fast-thrown ball. Russia's main ballistic missiles include the ground-launched Iskander-M and the air-launched Kinzhal, with S-300 and S-400 missiles also used against ground targets. The Zircon, though technically a hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile, poses a similar interception problem due to its high speed. The shortage of interceptors and the steep, fast trajectory of these missiles have made them a persistent threat, undermining Ukraine's ability to protect its cities and infrastructure.