Zelenskyy reveals Ukraine's next move after Patriots arrive — focus shifts to drones
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukraine now has more Patriot systems and will continue working to acquire additional units. At the same time, the country's current priority is interceptor drones, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
"More Patriots are now in Ukraine and being put into operation. Of course, more systems are needed to protect key infrastructure sites and our cities across the entire territory of Ukraine, and we will continue working to obtain them," he emphasized.
The president added that negotiations are underway not only with world leaders but also with manufacturers of air defense systems and their missiles.
"There will be meetings on this next week. We have presented partners with all calculations and all possible options to ensure a sufficiently reliable air defense," Zelenskyy said.
He reminded that Ukraine must defend itself daily against Russian ballistic missiles. He also stressed that destroying Russia's military aviation requires a multi-component air defense system.
"This involves our own military aviation. There are solutions regarding the Gripens, French aircraft, and we are working on F-16s. It also includes air defense systems and their missiles, the development of mobile fire groups, and, of course, the current priority is interceptor drones," the President said.
According to him, the number of interceptor drones in 2025 will meet state targets. He also highlighted the need to rapidly and efficiently increase the number of trained drone operators.
On November 2, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine had received Patriot systems from Germany, which Berlin had pledged in early August 2025. The agreement covered two systems. The delivery was carried out with financial support from Denmark, Lithuania, and Norway.
Earlier, during the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, Zelenskyy called on EU countries to provide Ukraine with Patriot air defense systems. He said Kyiv would return them immediately after receiving systems from the United States.
