As Russia intensifies strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, U.S. delays in supplying critical missiles are raising concerns over looming shortages. According to Financial Times, citing American and Ukrainian officials, some warn it’s only a matter of time before stockpiles run out—a direct result of Washington’s strategic shift toward countering China and deprioritizing aid to Ukraine."Ukraine’s vulnerability was underscored on Tuesday when, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at least 20 people were killed in a Russian air strike on Yarova, a village in the Donetsk region. Zelenskyy, who posted on Telegram a graphic video of the aftermath of the attack, said the dead civilians included pensioners waiting to collect their retirement benefits, the article said.Defense Express noted that U.S. authorities have previously paused shipments of already approved assistance multiple times, most recently in July, officially to review and ensure that military aid aligns with U.S. defense priorities. After this review, deliveries resumed but were deliberately slowed. The affected systems include MSE missiles for Patriot PAC-3, Stinger missiles, AIM-120 and AIM-9 missiles, as well as precision artillery rounds and Hellfire missiles.The slowdown primarily impacts MSE missiles, crucial for intercepting ballistic threats, while GEM-T missiles, which have limited anti-ballistic capability, are unaffected. Similarly, AIM-120 and AIM-9 missiles are critical not only for NASAMS air-defense systems but also for Ukraine’s F-16s, with no immediate replacements available. Germany’s IRIS-T missiles, integrated only into Norwegian fighters, could serve as a limited alternative. Stinger missiles, used in man-portable systems and Avengers, are less affected.Other munitions, such as AIM-7/RIM-7 for “Franken-Buk” systems and MIM-23 HAWK missiles, are not mentioned in current reports, nor are APKWS missiles, whose supply was paused in June for Middle East needs.In the best-case scenario, slowed U.S. missile deliveries mainly constrain Ukraine’s Patriot anti-ballistic capabilities, with the U.S. as the sole supplier, producing just 600 units in 2025, with plans to reach 750 by 2027. Limited stocks of AIM-120 and AIM-9 in European partner countries may partially offset this shortfall.Defense Express emphasizes that under a “pessimistic” scenario, all U.S. missile deliveries could slow further due to Washington’s stated strategic priorities—a situation Ukraine must navigate while relying on air-defense systems that do not depend on American missiles.