Background
Ukraine borders Russia and was occupied and served as a puppet state until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The US and Ukraine maintain bilateral relations as the US attached great importance to the successful transition of Ukraine to a democratic, prosperous, and stable state.
In 2014, Russia invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea disregarding Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty and international law.[i] In response, the U.S. and Western allies imposed sanctions on Russia and the U.S. increased its military presence in Europe.
In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in an attempt to replace the government in Kyiv with a Moscow-leaning regime. Since the invasion, dozens of countries have sent military aid, including the shipment of ballistic and defense missile systems.
Ukraine’s Ballistic Missile Defense Capabilities
| System | Operator | Number Deployed | Platform | |
| S-300P | Ukraine | Unknown | Road-mobile |  |
| MGM-140 ATACMS | Ukraine | Unknown | Road-mobile |  |
Ukraine’s Air Defense Capabilities
| System | Role | Number Deployed | Country of Origin | |
| Buk-M1/M2 | Road-mobile, medium-range air defense | Unknown | Russia (the Soviet Union) |  |
| 2K12 Kub (SA-6 Gainful) | Road-mobile, short-range air defense | Unknown | Russia (the Soviet Union) |  |
| 9K33 Osa (SA-8 Gecko) | Road-mobile, short-range air defense | Unknown | Russia (the Soviet Union) |  |
| S-200 (SA-5 Gammon) | Long-range air defense | Unknown | Russia (the Soviet Union) |  |
| S-300 (PMU1/V1/V2; SA-10 Grumble) | Road-mobile, long-range air defense | Unknown | Russia | |
| Tor-M1 | Road-mobile, short-range air defense | Unknown | Russia (the Soviet Union) |  |
| 9K35 Strela-10 (SA-13 Gopher) | Road-mobile, short-range air defense | Unknown | Russia (the Soviet Union) |  |
Current Developments
In May of 2013 NATO stated that Ukraine has made it known that they had a clear interest in the future development of NATO’s anti-ballistic missile system despite Russia’s opposition, and in May of 2015 Ukraine once again made it known that they were open to considering proposals to place a ballistic missile defense system on its territory.[ii]
In January 2017, Ukraine was gradually restoring its ‘missile shield’ by preparing missile for mass production and resuming production of rocket artillery.[iii] Just a year later, in January 2018, Ukraine has announced it is developing a new ground-launched cruise missile.[iv]
In May 2018, the United States confirmed that it sent a Javelin anti-tank missile system to Ukraine. Later that same month, Ukraine tested the system and emphasized that it would only be used if provoked by other nations.
Recent News
- Air Defense Forces destroyed 52 of the 67 drones used by Russians to attack Ukraine since the evening of November 9.
- Ukraine looking to order 27 Patriot air defense systems, Zelensky says
- Rheinmetall’s Skynex Proves Deadly in Ukraine—Now Taking Down Russian Cruise Missiles
- General Staff: 276 combat clashes on front lines in past 24 hours
References
[i] http://carnegieendowment.org/2014/03/13/russia-s-real-aims-in-crimea-pub-54914
[ii] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-it-wants-a-missile-shield-to-protect-against-russian-aggression/2015/05/20/bcaf74f2-feec-11e4-8c77-bf274685e1df_story.html?utm_term=.065190b6ed2e
[iii] https://112.international/article/ukrainian-missile-shield-is-it-pr-or-investment-in-defense-12935.html
[iv] https://www.unian.info/politics/2336828-ukraine-to-develop-new-ground-launched-cruise-missile-media.html
