Amidst a desperate search for air defense weapons, Ukraine is in danger of losing control of its skies.
Ukrainian fighter jets and anti-air systems have deterred Russian gunships from attacking since the invasion’s beginning.
But according to papers released from the Pentagon, the war-torn nation may run out of S-300 AA missiles by May 2, according to The Times.
Currently, 90% of Ukraine’s air defenses consist of this type of aircraft.
Despite the weapons being provided by a number of western allies, the leaked reports note Ukraine is ‘unable to match the Russian volume’ of fire.
Ukrainian Colonel Yuri Ihnat said this means Russia might be able to push through in just a matter of weeks.
He said: ‘If we lose the battle for our skies, the consequences will be critical. The Russians will smash every city just like they did in Syria.
‘Our nuclear power stations will be vulnerable too. And we will struggle to protect our frontline troops.’
These weapons are only produced by Russia, making restocking them difficult.
The only other country so far able to supply them is Slovakia.
Since March 2022 the Russian airforce has been unable to effectively attack in Ukrainian airspace due to widely dispersed air defences.
This forced them to use expensive cruise and ballistic missile barrages, which have not achieved any decisive effects.
Experts say Ukraine has an opportunity to launch a decisive counterattack, but their lack of sufficient weaponry is preventing this, according to the leaked documents.
The Ukrainian army was also planning on exploiting Russian weaknesses and reclaiming contested territories in the east.