Ukraine Stops Reporting Russian Missile Numbers

The Ukrainian Air Force has changed the format of its daily reports on Russian attacks and has stopped publishing data on the number of missiles fired by Russia. According to a Bloomberg source, this is a security measure taken in response to Russian attacks.

During the most recent nighttime airstrike, for example, the Ukrainian military reported shooting down 98 out of 120 Russian drones but did not specify the number of missiles fired. This change comes a few days after the military also stopped reporting the number of ballistic missiles intercepted. Last week, according to available data, it failed to shoot down any of the 28 Russian missiles.

Serhiy Beskrestnov, a Ukrainian expert on radio technology and adviser to the president, pointed out that there are two sides to withholding this data. According to him, the information could help Russia assess the state of Ukraine’s air defenses. At the same time, however, publishing it reveals to foreign partners the extent of Ukraine’s problems and its lack of necessary capabilities.

President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously noted that deliveries of air defense systems from allies have dropped significantly. Ukraine is therefore negotiating with the US and European countries for additional missiles for Patriot systems. According to Zelensky, Kyiv has agreed with Washington on regular monthly deliveries but still does not consider the volume sufficient.

(mja)