Russia, the aggressor nation, is depleting its stockpile of interceptor missiles—a key component of the S-300 air defense system—far too quickly. This is likely helping Ukraine launch strikes deep into russian territory, CBS News reports.
Three unnamed Ukrainian officials familiar with intelligence assessments told CBS News that the russians are running short of missiles for the S-300 system. These air defense systems were developed in the Soviet Union and entered service in the 1970s.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, russia has used more modern air defense systems to intercept missiles, including the S-340, S-400, and “Pantsir-S1.” However, the S-300s remain part of moscow’s defense forces against missile or drone attacks.
Ukrainian officials, speaking to CBS News, did not specify how many interceptor missiles they estimate russia has, but noted a reduction in the stockpile of anti-aircraft missiles for the S-300 systems.
According to two officials, although S-300 systems have traditionally been used exclusively for air defense, the russians have repurposed them to strike ground targets, allowing them to function as “surface-to-surface” missiles.
Ukraine has also depleted russia’s stockpiles, forcing it to expend anti-aircraft missiles to intercept new and more advanced drones that fly faster and farther than previous models. This has forced russia to expend interceptors that it might otherwise have saved to defend against Ukrainian missiles.
Replenishing its stockpiles may prove to be a difficult task for russia. A Ukrainian official reported that moscow lacks key components for the production of interceptor missiles. The country, which has long been subject to strict sanctions, is facing difficulties in obtaining such components from Western and Chinese manufacturers.
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