London, UK – September 1, 2025
Following a series of intensified and deadly Russian missile and drone attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that the delivery of additional air defense systems will be accelerated to bolster the country’s protection. The president’s announcement comes after a recent massive strike on Kyiv that killed dozens of civilians and damaged critical infrastructure. Zelensky has called on Ukrainian diplomats to work with partners to secure more systems and has also prioritized domestic production of drones and missiles to strengthen the nation’s air defense capabilities.
Headlines:
* Deadly Strikes Prompt Action: Ukraine Rushes to Acquire More Air Defense Systems.
* Kyiv Hit Hard: Russian Barrage Kills Dozens, Damages Civilian Infrastructure.
* Diplomacy in High Gear: Zelensky Calls for “Maximum Efforts” to Secure Partner Deliveries.
* Domestic Production Ramped Up: Ukraine Prioritizes Intercepting “Shaheds.”
In a statement, Zelensky emphasized that the urgent need for a stronger air shield is in direct response to Russia’s changing tactics. Russia has increasingly relied on large-scale, coordinated drone and missile salvos, sometimes exceeding 700 munitions in a single strike, to overwhelm Ukrainian defenses and target energy and civilian infrastructure. The recent strike on Kyiv, one of the largest since the war began, demonstrated the vulnerability of Ukrainian cities to these attacks.
In his call to action, Zelensky did not name any specific agreements but tasked his officials to coordinate with international partners to secure the rapid delivery of additional short- and medium-range systems. This follows recent deliveries from European partners, including an eighth IRIS-T SLM air defense system from Germany and a contribution from Norway for the procurement of air defense radars and Typhon-2 systems. These systems are crucial for creating a layered defense to protect against a variety of aerial threats.
In addition to seeking more aid from abroad, Ukraine is also focusing on increasing its own domestic defense production. Zelensky announced that a “Technological Staff” meeting with Ukrainian producers of missiles, drones, and air defense systems is being prepared. The main priority is to produce more interceptor drones and missiles, particularly those capable of shooting down the Iranian-designed “Shahed” drones that Russia has used in large numbers to terrorize Ukrainian cities. This move highlights Ukraine’s long-term strategy of building a more self-reliant defense industry.
