Most of Ukraine lacks defense against ballistic threats, Zelenskyy says

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80% of Ukraine's territory remains unprotected against Russian ballistic missiles

According to Zelenskyy, his previous statements on air defense were not a criticism of partners, but an attempt to draw attention to the real situation.

"I will not say where our Patriot systems are located. But 80% of our country's territory does not have such anti-ballistic missile systems," the President says.

He stresses that Ukraine continues to seek opportunities to strengthen its defenses.

Ukraine finds funds for air defense systems

The President emphasizes that even in the absence of a sufficient number of systems, Kyiv, together with its partners, is working to finance their purchase.

"Even if we are not given the systems, we have found the money for them together with our partners," Zelenskyy says.

According to him, he personally held negotiations with representatives of Germany, Norway, Northern European countries, and Canada. The President notes that air defense systems are extremely expensive.

"They cost between 1.5 and 2 billion per system. And a missile costs between two and three million," he explains.

Zelenskyy says that he agreed on the allocation of additional funds for these needs.

Ukraine calls on European countries to combine their technological efforts to create new means of countering ballistic missiles.

Colonel Yurii Ihnat, head of communications for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, also said that Russian mass attacks on Ukraine often combine several types of air threats at once. These include ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as strike drones. Under such conditions, even modern air defense systems are operating at the limits of their capabilities.