Zelenskyy: Ukraine needs at least 2,000-3,000 interceptor drones to counter Russian attacks

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Russia is relying on drones, reducing missile production and aiming to bring its daily drone attacks up to one thousand.

Source: Zelenskyy, citing his interview with the New York Post on X (Twitter)

Quote: "Russia is scaling back missile production and redirecting funds towards increasing drone production. Why? Today, Russian attacks against Ukraine involve 350-500 drones per day. Russia plans to reach 600-800 drones in 2026, but their overall target is 1,000 drones per day."

Details: Zelenskyy says that to counter such attacks, Ukraine needs at least 2,000-3,000 interceptor drones.

He stressed that this is also a matter of money. An interceptor drone costs US$3,000-5,000. About US$10,000 is spent to destroy one Shahed loitering munition.

For comparison, a missile for the Patriot system costs about US$4 million.

Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine already has experience of downing drones more cheaply and is offering it to partners.

Background: Ukraine's Air Force reported that since the evening of 16 March, the Russians have attacked Ukraine with 178 Shahed, Gerbera and Italmas strike UAVs and other types of drones. A total of 154 drones were downed, but hits were also recorded at 12 locations. The Russian attack is ongoing.

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