The U.S. Department of Defense has decided to partially suspend shipments of air defense missiles and other precision munitions to Ukraine’s Armed Forces, citing growing concerns over the critical depletion of its own strategic reserves. The move could limit the availability of key systems such as the MIM-104 PAC-3 (Patriot), AIM-120 AMRAAM (NASAMS), and FIM-92 Stinger (Avenger system).
The decision, reportedly pushed by Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, came after an internal review revealed alarmingly low stockpiles of artillery rounds, anti-air missiles, and other essential weapons.
Although the decision was made in early June, it is beginning to take effect at a particularly sensitive moment—just as Ukraine is facing one of the largest Russian aerial offensives since the start of the conflict, with hundreds of drones and missiles targeting civilian areas in Kyiv and other cities. Of the 477 unmanned aerial vehicles and 60 missiles launched by Russia in its latest attack, reports indicate that 249 were shot down and another 226 neutralized through electronic interference.
White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the move, framing it as a matter of national interest: “The strength of the U.S. military remains unquestionable—just ask Iran,” she stated in an official declaration.
The pause has raised concerns among Ukraine’s allies in the U.S. Congress. “U.S.-made air defense systems, including the Patriot, are the backbone of Ukraine’s defense… They save lives every day,” said Democratic Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. “If this is true, Mr. Colby is making a decision that will inevitably result in the death of Ukrainian troops and civilians.”
U.S. military assistance to Ukraine has come from two sources: the drawdown of Pentagon stockpiles (with budgeted replenishment) and direct purchases from the defense industry funded by the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). According to official sources, the USAI funds were fully committed during the Biden administration, while leftover approved aid is currently being used by the Trump administration. So far, no new request for aid has been submitted to Congress.
Since February, the Pentagon has begun categorizing munitions by criticality, due to rising demand in other regions, including Yemen. Internal plans considered redirecting key assets—such as artillery rounds, tank munitions, and air defense systems—back to U.S. territory or to Israel. However, the memo authorizing this transfer remained unsigned on the desk of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, amid instability within the department’s leadership.
The current suspension draws comparisons to the 2019 controversy during Trump’s first term, when his administration froze $214 million in already-approved military aid to Ukraine—a move later deemed illegal by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for violating the Impoundment Control Act.
Defense experts warn that this latest decision could leave Ukraine increasingly exposed to Russian bombardments. “Air defense doesn’t win you a war—but the lack of it can make you lose one quickly,” warned Tom Karako, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He noted that while the U.S. military has quietly quadrupled its orders for Patriot MSE interceptors, scaling up production takes time: “You can’t just press a button,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to appeal for Western support. During his recent meeting with Donald Trump at the NATO summit in the Netherlands, the U.S. president did not rule out further deliveries: “They really need those anti-missile missiles, as they call them. We’ll see if we can make some available,” Trump said at a press conference. However, no concrete commitments have been made so far.
The increasingly uncertain outlook is fueling fears in Kyiv and among its allies that the U.S. may be gradually scaling back its commitment to Ukraine’s defense at a critical stage of the war.
*Images for illustrative purposes only.
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Perhaps Europe needs to step-up. Ukraine should have not made mineral deals with other countries.
Trump signed a mineral deal with Ukraine to get the rights to mine their resources…..now give them weapons to Fuck up the those piece of Shit Russians !!
Are you a president who gives a Shit or just a Dicktator! Be a fucking Man and help Ukraine!
They didn’t ask for this war and these assholes came and are destroying that entire country are we real are we pussies knock the Russian regime down and make America Proud.
Putin is not our friend , teach husband Ass who’s boss !! Smash that Russian Prick!!
Erick Diaz