Zelenskyy on air defence: 'Not easy, but it will all happen'

In an evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is continuing its efforts to bolster air defence, working both to secure the missiles needed to protect lives and to reach agreements on producing them within the country.

Zelenskyy recalled that throughout the war, Ukraine has repeatedly faced situations where it was initially told certain weapons, capabilities or equipment were supposedly out of reach, or that it would take decades to develop them. He pointed to F-16 fighter jets, the capacity to produce millions of drones annually, and specialised missile technologies as examples of goals Ukraine ultimately achieved despite such doubts.

Confidence on anti-missile capabilities

The president said he expects the same outcome with anti-ballistic capabilities and Patriot air defence systems — describing the path as difficult but achievable.

At the same time, Zelenskyy warned that delays occurring at the political level come at a real cost in human lives. He said it is essential to act quickly, focusing efforts on protecting lives and curbing Russia's resources for waging war. According to him, the aggressor needs to feel a genuine, active international presence working to end the war, rather than merely observing it continue.

The address also referenced Ukraine's 12 August strike on the Russian naval base in Novorossiysk, carried out using domestically produced Palianytsia drones and Neptune missiles.