- Russia launched 24 ballistic missiles in a night attack on Wednesday, killing at least 17 people; Ukraine shot down 98 of 115 drones but none of the ballistic missiles.
- Zelenskyy warned that Moscow was seeking to significantly increase ballistic missile production as winter neared.
- Nato is working to get Ukraine the air defences it 'urgently needs', its secretary general has said.
- Zelenskyy met with Nato's Mark Rutte and emphasized the importance of cutting through red tape to make necessary political decisions.
- Zelenskyy stated that in the first half of 2026, air defence missile supplies from allies had fallen to a third of their 2025 level.
NATO is actively working to secure urgent air defense systems for Ukraine as President Zelenskyy raises alarms over a significant increase in Russian missile production. Following a recent attack where Russia launched 24 ballistic missiles, killing at least 17 people, Ukraine's defenses failed to intercept any of these missiles.12
Zelenskyy noted that in the first half of 2026, supplies of air defense missiles from Ukraine's allies had dropped to a third of their 2025 levels. He emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, “Every day, the lives of people here in Ukraine depend on the determination of our partners in Europe and the United States.”
Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukraine's president on defense technology, estimated that Russia could launch 100 ballistic missiles every month targeting logistical hubs and industrial facilities. He remarked, “The war of attrition has entered its next phase.”
The lack of US-made Patriot interceptors, the only systems capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles, has become increasingly critical. An analysis by the Associated Press revealed that the US Patriot inventory has fallen by at least 65% since the war began, exacerbated by the ongoing US-Israel conflict.
As winter approaches, Zelenskyy warned that Moscow is expected to intensify its campaign against Ukraine's energy sector, making the need for enhanced air defenses more urgent than ever.3
“Ukraine's air force shot down 98 of 115 drones but none of the 24 ballistic missiles, killing at least 17 people. Zelenskyy said supplies of air defence missiles from allies fell to a third of 2025 levels in the first half of 2026, partly due to the Middle East war.”
The Guardian
