Ukraine’s American-made F-16 fighter jets are defending the skies against Russian drones and cruise missiles — but a critical shortage of U.S.-made missiles is putting that mission at risk. In an exclusive NEWSMAX interview from Kyiv, Ukrainian F-16 wing commander “Phantom” tells foreign correspondent Shelby Wilder that Ukraine needs additional Patriot and AIM-120 missiles, warning that an aircraft without weapons is a “useless tool.” The shortage has reportedly become so severe that Ukrainian pilots are rationing missiles and, on some missions, relying on their F-16s’ onboard cannons to take down Russian aerial threats. Phantom also calls for increased missile production, the ability for Ukraine and its European allies to…
By refusing to advocate for negotiations, the West has done Ukraine a disservice. The post It’s Time to Apologize to Ukrainians appeared first on The American Conservative .
Foreign Affairs It’s Time to Apologize to Ukrainians By refusing to advocate for negotiations, the West has done Ukraine a disservice. Photo by Roman PILIPEY / AFP via Getty Images On June 25, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered a “40-day influence operation” involving the use of drones to hit targets deep inside Russia. The goal, according to Zelensky, was to compel Russia “to end the war” and to restart negotiations from a position favorable to Ukraine. It does not appear to have succeeded. In fact, over this period, Russia was able to exploit three Ukrainian weaknesses to strengthen its position…Open
Russian ballistic attacks on Ukraine have surged as its stock of Patriot interceptor missiles almost runs dry. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh explains why the US-made system is so critical as he gets the first media access to Patriot launchers sitting in a quiet field with empty canisters.
State of the Union: Iran-Oman talks on Hormuz continued, as Tehran denied U.S. participation. The post Iran War Day 159: New Reporting on the U.S. Munitions Shortage appeared first on The American Conservative .
Media reports offered new details on the Pentagon’s munitions stockpiles and Iranian and Omani negotiators discussed the future of Hormuz, as the Iran War entered its 159th day Wednesday. The U.S. military has used up nearly 80 percent of its THAAD interceptors and 50 percent of its Patriot interceptors, CNN reported Tuesday, citing anonymous sources familiar with the Pentagon’s inventory. One of CNN’s sources also claimed that the military had fired “virtually all” of its Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs). Oman and Iran have continued their talks over the future management of the Strait of Hormuz. Axios reported that those talks have also included the United States, and that all…Open
The U.S. and its partners depend on Patriot interceptors to shoot down incoming ballistic missiles. But Russia and Iran are firing their weapons at rates far higher than Patriots can be produced.
Emergency services personnel work to extinguish a fire following Russian missile attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky / Efrem Lukatsky Published August 1 , 2026 KYIV, Ukraine [...]
