Zelenskyy: All cruise missiles shot down in latest attack, but problems remain
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Ukrainian defenders managed to destroy all cruise missiles launched by Russian forces over the past day during the latest attack. F-16 fighter jets took part in intercepting the targets, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a doorstep briefing with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
He noted that Ukraine’s air defense systems are performing very well, with 90% of aerial targets being destroyed. At the same time, the only major problem for Ukraine is a shortage of interceptors for ballistic missiles.
"We have interceptors, we have F-16s, we have other systems such as Patriot, IRIS-T, NASAMS, we are destroying (drones and missiles — ed.). For example, today our F-16s and other systems destroyed all cruise missiles," he said.
Zelenskyy also added that he discussed the shortage of ballistic interceptors during his meeting with the Dutch Prime Minister.
Earlier, Yurii Ihnat, head of communications for the Ukrainian Air Force, emphasized that F-16s played a significant role in intercepting Russian cruise missiles on April 15–16.
Air defense operations
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, on the evening of April 15, Russian forces launched 20 Kh-101 cruise missiles at Ukraine.
Later, Russia used five Iskander-K cruise missiles in the attack.
The Air Force reported that 19 out of 20 Kh-101 missiles and 4 out of 5 Iskander-K missiles were shot down.
