Zelenskyy said many of the missiles used in the attack were ballistic, while the drones included jet-powered “Shaheds”. He said Russia’s tactics remained aimed at causing maximum pain and damage to Ukraine and its people.
“It was a brutal attack – 68 missiles alone, many of them ballistic. There were also more than 350 drones of various types, including jet-powered “Shaheds,”” Zelenskyy said.
“Russia’s tactics remain unchanged: to inflict as much pain and damage as possible on Ukrainians and on Ukraine,” he said. Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces achieved strong results against drones and cruise missiles where the necessary capabilities were available.
“The interception rate for “Shaheds” was high – 92 percent – and there were also significant interception results in shooting down cruise missiles. I am grateful to our aviation, mobile fire groups, and anti-aircraft missile forces,” he said.
Zelenskyy said all six Kalibr missiles were shot down, along with 31 of 33 cruise missiles. He said this showed that Ukrainian forces could deliver high interception rates when they had the required capabilities.
“All six Kalibr missiles were shot down last night, and 31 out of 33 cruise missiles were intercepted, meaning whenever the necessary capabilities are available, our warriors deliver truly high interception rates,” he said. “That is the only explanation for the problem with ballistic missiles – insufficient number of interceptors.”
The president said the shortage applied especially to Patriot air defence systems. “This is especially true for Patriots,” Zelenskyy said.
He said Ukraine had already shown its partners both the need for stronger protection and the possibility of providing it. He also criticised the failure to expand production to the level needed to protect civilians from ballistic missile attacks.
“We have proven to all our partners both the need, and more importantly, the possibility of providing greater protection of lives. It is simply nonsensical that, in today’s world, production has still not been scaled up to the level that is actually needed to protect people from ballistic terror,” he said.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine had long argued that it was able to produce such defensive weapons itself. He said US licences for Patriot production would allow Ukraine to protect itself and also support partners.
“We have long made the case that we are capable of producing such defensive weapons ourselves. If Ukraine were granted U.S. licenses to produce Patriots, our own production would be sufficient both to protect Ukraine and to help partners in need,” Zelenskyy said.
The president said Ukraine was in contact with everyone able to provide air defence missiles immediately. “We are in contact with everyone around the world who can provide air defense missiles now. This is our top priority,” he said.
Zelenskyy said Russia was relying on ballistic missiles as a way to prolong the war. “And this is Russia’s last argument for what it can use, and how, to prolong this war. Russia is betting specifically on ballistic missiles, and those who want peace must bet on protection against ballistic missiles,” he said.
