Ukraine's Air Defense Gap Reveals NATO's Munitions Crisis

Ukrainian forces failed to intercept 23 ballistic missiles on July 6, exposing a critical shortage of air defense interceptors. Zelenskyy blamed inadequate stocks as NATO leaders met in Ankara to confront alliance capacity constraints. US ammunition supplies are strained by simultaneous conflicts; the Pentagon warned of this shortfall months ago. European members now face pressure to boost defense spending to 5% of GDP while some weapons deliveries remain delayed.