The Pentagon decided to halt shipments of certain air defense missiles and precision munitions to Ukraine right as Russia unleashes its heaviest bombardments on Ukrainian civilians in months.

The decision came from Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby after a stark internal review, Politico reports. Three sources familiar with the move say US arsenals of artillery rounds, air defense missiles, and precision munitions have dropped to concerning levels. The initial call was made in early June, but implementation waited until now.

Which weapons are affected? The list reads like Ukraine’s shopping list for survival:

• Patriot interceptor missiles
• 155mm artillery shells
• HIMARS rockets
• Stinger missiles
• Hellfire missiles 

PBS correspondent Nick Schifrin reported the Pentagon also halted AIM-7 air-to-air missiles and GMLRS rockets for Ukraine’s most effective long-range systems.

The timing couldn’t be worse. Ukraine faces some of Russia’s largest missile and drone barrages targeting civilians in Kyiv and beyond. Each intercepted Russian missile requires an American-made interceptor that now won’t be replaced.

Why did this happen? A Pentagon insider reveals the agency has been sorting munitions by criticality since February, partly because of heavy weapons use in Yemen operations. An action memo sat on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s desk for months during personnel turnover. The plan: redirect artillery shells, tank rounds, and air defense systems back to the US homeland or Israel.

But wasn’t Trump just promising more Patriots? He was. After meeting Zelenskyy at the NATO summit, Trump said Ukraine could get additional Patriot systems.

“They do want to have the anti-missile missiles, as they call them, and we’re going to see if we can make some available,” he told reporters. “They’re very hard to get.”

The White House defended the suspension through Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly.

“This decision was made to put America’s interests first following a DOD review of our nation’s military support and assistance to other countries across the globe. The strength of the United States Armed Forces remains unquestioned — just ask Iran,” Kelly said.

Congressional allies aren’t buying it. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who co-chairs the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, warned that halting shipments “will surely result in the imminent death of many Ukrainian military and civilians.” She called Patriot systems “the centerpiece of Ukraine’s defenses” that “save lives every day.”

Is this legal? The suspension echoes Trump’s 2019 freeze of $214 million in Ukraine aid. The Government Accountability Office ruled that move violated the Impoundment Control Act—policy disagreements aren’t grounds to block congressionally appropriated funds. If the current freeze follows the same pattern, it risks the same legal violations.

How critical are these weapons? Tom Karako from the Center for Strategic and International Studies put it simply: “Air defense won’t win a war for you—but the absence of it will lose one fast.”

The suspended weapons come from two funding streams established under Biden. Some represent drawdowns from current US stockpiles, with Congress providing money to replenish them. Others come through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, where the US funds direct purchases from American defense firms.

Can Ukraine buy replacements? Zelenskyy says Ukraine stands ready to purchase a “large aid package” from the United States, estimated between $30 to $50 billion. Kyiv has submitted its wish list and awaits Washington’s response.

The question now: Will those interceptors arrive before Russia’s next barrage?

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