S-300, S-400 systems run out; Russia faces severe shortage of key air defense systems due to strikes

[00:00:04]Russia is running low on one of its key anti-missile systems, which could lead to Ukraine launching more strikes deep into Russian territory, CBS News reported, citing Ukrainian officials.

[00:00:15]According to the publication sources, Russia is experiencing a shortage of S-300 air defense missile systems. This is a key component of Russia's air defense system against cruise and ballistic missiles. According to Ukrainian intelligence estimates, in 2025, Russia possessed more than 400 RM-48U missiles for the S-300 PM and S-400 air defense systems. Ukrainian officials noted that their number had declined even further in 2026.

[00:00:47]The publication sources added that traditionally, the S-300 systems were used exclusively for air defense, but recently the Russian armed forces have repurposed them for strikes against Ukraine. This required changing their flight path so they function as surface-to-surface missiles, complementing other Russian weapon systems such as the Iskander-M and Kinzhal missiles. Analysts believe Ukraine is seeking to exacerbate this shortage by launching direct attacks on Russia's air defense systems. Over the past few months, Ukraine has destroyed or struck numerous air defense systems in the occupied territories in Crimea, Transnistria, the Luhansk region, and elsewhere. "Many Russian air defense missiles are being used up very quickly at a practically unsustainable rate because Ukraine can produce more drones for deep strikes than Russia, in some cases, can produce air defense missiles," Rob Lee, an expert on the Russian military at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, told reporters. A Ukrainian official told reporters that Russia lacks key components for the production of interceptor missiles, including seekers and control modules.

[00:01:59]He added that under severe sanctions, Russia is facing difficulties obtaining such components from Western and Chinese manufacturers.

[00:02:08]Ukrainian intelligence officials told reporters that Russia still has other effective and more modern air defense systems to defend against attacks.

[00:02:16]Ukraine has significantly expanded its use of medium-range drones targeting Russian logistics and supply infrastructure. Military analysts estimate that this has become a key factor changing the dynamics of the war and creating serious problems for the Russian army, The New York Times reports. After saturating the front with millions of drones, Ukraine moved on to deeper operations. First against Russia's oil and gas infrastructure and now against key logistics routes. Kyiv has focused on the so-called golden mean roads and railways located more than 150 km from the front line and providing supplies to Russian troops. The Ukrainian side describes these actions as a logistics blockade. Retired Australian General Mick Ryan emphasized that it is this stage of the war that is the most destructive for Russia. This is what really hurts Russians. According to him, coordinated strikes make it difficult for Russia to increase the pace of its offensive. Ukrainian officials report that the country has sharply increased drone production.

[00:03:21]According to them, Ukraine is capable of carrying out over 5,000 medium and long-range strikes monthly. Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov stated that in May the number of strikes at a distance of more than 50 km from the front doubled compared to April. Ukrainian analytical group Deep State reports that May was the first month since 2023 that Russia suffered net territorial losses.

[00:03:46]Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that Ukraine regained almost 60 square kilometers more than it lost in May.

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