Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jets didn’t have enough missiles to shoot down Russian drones and missiles for more than 3 weeks after supplies from Kyiv’s partners dried up just as Moscow was preparing a massive winter air campaign, three sources said.

The acute shortage from late November to mid-December, which has not been previously reported, lays bare the vulnerability of Ukraine’s air defences which ​rely heavily on Western allies for missiles and defence systems to repel frequent Russian strikes.

Kyiv has often complained about a lack of weapons since the full-scale war began more than four years ago, sounding the alarm over critical shortages in recent months ‌while seeking not to anger Donald Trump’s administration.