Pentagon suspends deliveries of some air defense missiles, precision-guided munitions to Ukraine due to depletion of US stockpiles – media
The Pentagon has halted shipments of some air defense missiles and other precision munitions to Ukraine due to worries that U.S. weapons stockpiles have fallen too low, the decision was driven by the Pentagon’s policy chief, Elbridge Colby, and was made after a review of Pentagon munitions stockpiles, three sources familiar with the situation said, Politico reports.
“The initial decision to withhold some aid promised during the Biden administration came in early June, according to the people, but is only taking effect now as Ukraine is beating back some of the largest Russian barrages of missiles and drones at civilian targets in Kyiv and elsewhere. Russia over the weekend launched its biggest aerial attack on Ukraine since the start of the three-year war, with a reported 477 drones and decoys and 60 missiles. Of these, 249 were reportedly shot down and 226 were lost, likely having been electronically jammed,” the message reads.
It is emphasized that the supplies were carried out in two main streams: from the Pentagon's stockpiles, which are now rapidly depleting, and also through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, when US funds are used to purchase weapons directly from American defense companies.
The current use of the stockpile has been going on since the Trump administration, which did not ask for additional funding, and the remaining funds will last Ukraine for several more months, according to an administration official. The U.S. Defense Department is also working to quickly replenish its stockpile, which is used to support Ukraine and other partners, including Israel.