Zelenskyy: ballistic missiles remain a challenge, Ukraine boosts interceptions of cruise missiles and drones

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine continues to struggle to defend against ballistic missiles because of a shortage of Patriot air defence interceptors, adding that the Air Force is intercepting a significant number of Russian cruise missiles and more than 90% of attack drones.

Source: Zelenskyy during a meeting with service members on the occasion of Ukraine's Air Force Day

Quote: "And now, when the only thing – the last thing – Putin has left to bet on is his massive attacks against Ukraine, the Air Force, our combat aviation, is destroying Russian cruise missiles and trying to destroy ballistic missiles as well. And when our Patriot batteries aren't empty, it succeeds.

It is important that, thanks to our cooperation with Europe, our IRIS-T, Hawk, and NASAMS systems are operating. Every day, we fight to secure missile supplies for them. And I am grateful that our partners around the world are helping us with that.

Of course, ballistic missiles remain a challenge. But we have provided Ukraine with protection against a significant share of cruise missiles, and we are shooting down a great many. Our interception rate against attack drones is also above 90%, and that is a truly significant achievement for Ukraine – for all of us, for every one of you."

Details: Zelenskyy said that Air Force personnel "accomplish the incredible" and "go beyond the maximum" despite fighting "an unequal battle" amid a shortage of air defence interceptors.

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