ISW: Ukraine forced to choose which areas to protect with Patriots amid Russia’s combined attacks

That’s according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) think tank, Ukrinform reports.

Analysts recalled that on the night of May 31 to June 1, the Russian army launched its largest-to-date combined attack involving drones and missiles. According to the Air Force, the Russians launched three Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles, four Kh-101 and Iskander-K air- and ground-based cruise missiles, as well as 472 Shahed drones.

Ukraine intercepted three Kh-101 and Iskander-K missiles, also neutralizing 213 UAVs, while another 172 drones were “lost” or suppressed by Ukrainian electronic warfare.

ISW experts note the fact that the Ukrainian army was unable to shoot down any of the three ballistic missiles Russia launched that night.

“Ukrainian forces have struggled to intercept ballistic missiles due to the limited supply of US-made Patriot air defense systems and interceptors. ISW continues to assess that Russia's ballistic missile strikes are forcing Ukraine to make difficult decisions about which areas of Ukraine to protect with its limited Patriot systems,” the summary states.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine uses Patriot missiles cautiously, aiming at “the most sophisticated missiles”.