Explosions light up Kyiv’s night sky as Russian missiles and drones hammer Ukraine’s defenses, each intercept a costly bid for survival. Around January 19-20, 2026, Ukrainian forces repelled a massive assault, but President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that the missiles used alone cost about €80 million—equivalent to $90-100 million—for that brief span of combat.
Intensifying Assaults
Russia has ramped up its attacks, unleashing volleys of missiles and drones in coordinated waves. In one recent operation, the Ukrainian air force tallied 18 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, one anti-ship missile, and 339 drones launched by Russia. Defenses downed 27 missiles and 315 drones, yet the barrage exposed the toll on Ukraine’s stockpiles. Zelenskyy warned that intelligence points to an even larger strike imminent, testing the limits of current resources.
Historical Context
Russia launched its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, pounding Ukraine with missiles, drones, and artillery across vast regions. Zelenskyy, elected in 2019, has steered the nation’s response amid escalating threats. Allies, led by the United States, began delivering Patriot systems and other air defenses in 2023, bolstering protection for cities and infrastructure. Still, Russia’s persistent barrages push these assets to the brink.
Patriot Systems in Action
The U.S.-made Patriot stands as Ukraine’s key shield against advanced ballistic and cruise missiles. Deployed since 2023, it has neutralized high-threat projectiles, safeguarding vital areas. However, the surge in Russian strikes demands ever more interceptors, straining production and supply chains from supporters. Zelenskyy emphasized the €80 million price tag for one night’s defense, highlighting how massed drone-missile combinations accelerate depletion.
Energy Infrastructure at Risk
Russian precision strikes have ravaged Ukraine’s power grid, sparking widespread blackouts in freezing winter conditions. Millions endure frigid temperatures without heat or light, as defenses prioritize civilian zones over long-term repairs. Each engagement burns through munitions needed for sustained operations, raising questions about endurance amid repeated assaults.
Tactical Shifts and Cost Gaps
Russia refines its approach, blending expensive ballistic and cruise missiles with cheap Shahed kamikaze drones to overwhelm defenses. This forces Ukraine to fire multimillion-dollar interceptors at low-cost targets, creating a stark economic mismatch. A single major attack can exceed tens of millions in expenses, much of it covered by U.S. and European aid. Global stockpiles of Patriots and similar munitions dwindle under competing demands, with production ramps lagging behind wartime needs.
Supply Chain Pressures
Ukraine requires tens of billions in arms for 2026, but delays plague deliveries despite timely shipments averting some crises. Zelenskyy presses allies for faster aid, including more Patriots, F-16 spares, and interceptors. Europe pledges billions in packages, yet industrial expansion trails battlefield urgency. Analysts doubt whether factories can scale swiftly enough, balancing Ukraine’s fight with broader security obligations.
As Russia gears up for bigger blows and Ukraine’s interceptors dwindle, the contest hinges on resupply speed and strategic adaptation. Persistent unity among partners could sustain defenses, but production shortfalls and funding gaps threaten to tip the balance in coming months.
Sources:
“Zelenskyy: Repelling Russian attack cost €80m, Russia has more missiles.” Ukrainska Pravda (English edition), 19 Jan 2026.
“Today’s Russian attack cost Ukraine 80 million euros – head of state.” Ukrinform, 19 Jan 2026.
“Russia planning large-scale attack against Ukraine, Kyiv warns.” The Kyiv Independent, 18 Jan 2026.
“Patriot Missile Stockpile Concerns Grow, Pentagon Claims It Has Enough.” The War Zone / The Drive, 7 Jul 2025.