NATO says it is working urgently to get Ukraine the air defences it needs after Kyiv failed to shoot down a single Russian ballistic missile in a Wednesday attack, with President Zelenskyy warning Moscow is ramping up missile production ahead of winter.
Key facts
- Ukraine failed to shoot down any of the ballistic missiles Russia fired on Wednesday.
- NATO's secretary general said the alliance is working to get Ukraine the air defences it 'urgently needs'.
- Zelenskyy urged allies to increase supplies of Patriot interceptors.
- The president warned Russia is seeking to significantly boost missile production ahead of winter.
- Zelenskyy did not rule out that stalling missile supplies could be aimed at pressuring Ukraine to compromise in peace talks.
NATO is working to get Ukraine the air defences it “urgently needs”, the alliance’s secretary general has said, following an attack in which Kyiv failed to shoot down a single Russian ballistic missile on Wednesday, according to the Guardian.
The failure to intercept the missiles has intensified pressure on Ukraine’s Western allies to step up support. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged partners to increase supplies of Patriot interceptors, the advanced systems designed to counter ballistic threats.
Zelenskyy also warned that Moscow was seeking to significantly boost its missile production ahead of the coming winter, raising concerns about Ukraine’s ability to defend its cities and infrastructure during the colder months.
The president made the comments at a National Security and Defense Council meeting focused on winter resilience, the Guardian reported.
Zelenskyy did not rule out the possibility that stalling missile supplies from Western allies were “aimed at making Ukraine, so to speak, more willing to compromise” in peace talks with Russia, according to the outlet.
The remarks underscore the tension between Ukraine’s immediate defensive needs and the wider diplomatic dynamics surrounding potential negotiations with Moscow.
Why it matters
Air defences such as Patriot interceptors are central to Ukraine's ability to protect civilians and critical infrastructure from Russian missile strikes, especially heading into winter. Zelenskyy's suggestion that delayed supplies could be linked to pressure over peace talks highlights the political stakes tied to military aid decisions among Western allies.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Ukraine need more Patriot interceptors?
Ukraine failed to shoot down a single Russian ballistic missile in Wednesday's attack, and President Zelenskyy urged allies to increase supplies of Patriot interceptors to strengthen its air defences.
What did Zelenskyy say about Russian missile production?
Zelenskyy warned that Moscow was seeking to significantly boost its missile production ahead of winter, according to the Guardian.
Did Zelenskyy link aid delays to peace talks?
Yes. He did not rule out that stalling missile supplies from Western allies were 'aimed at making Ukraine, so to speak, more willing to compromise' in peace talks with Russia.