Ukraine says it 'ran out of missiles' to stop Russian strike ruining power station

FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian servicemen stand next to an AN/TWQ-1 Avenger mobile air defence missile system during their combat shift, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, outside of Kyiv, Ukraine June 16, 2023. REUTERS/Anna Voitenko/File Photo

(Reuters) - A lack of air defense missiles prevented Ukraine from thwarting a Russian missile attack last week that destroyed the biggest power plant in the region around the capital Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.

Zelenskiy's comments, which follow repeated warnings from his government to its allies about scarce air defences, reflect the dire situation Ukraine finds itself in as Russia scales up strikes on its energy system.