Ukrainian intelligence has received information about Russia preparing new ballistic missile strikes. To counter the attacks, Ukraine needs additional interceptor missiles, primarily for the US-made Patriot air defense systems.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said this on October 29 in an evening address after a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff, where they discussed strengthening missile defense.
According to the president, Russian troops are preparing for new ballistic attacks, and Ukraine expects decisions from international partners on additional supplies of air defense systems.
"There is now intelligence information about the preparation by the Russians of new ballistic strikes. And forces are needed to shoot down all this Russian evil. We are waiting for the relevant decisions," — Zelensky said.
The president did not name specific dates of the alleged attacks or possible directions of strikes.
The head of state stressed that one of the main directions of countering Russian ballistic missiles remains obtaining additional interceptors for Patriot. The necessary ammunition is available from foreign partners, but Ukraine continues to face delays in its transfer.
Earlier, Zelensky called on European countries and the United States to accelerate deliveries under the PURL program, which provides for the purchase of American weapons for Ukraine at the expense of NATO states. According to him, delays in the transfer of missiles directly affect the ability to protect Ukrainian cities.
Another direction of countering Russian missile attacks, the president called strengthening sanctions pressure on the Russian military-industrial complex. In his assessment, the current international restrictions are still not enough to significantly reduce Russian production of ballistic missiles.
Ukraine also continues to strike at Russian military facilities. During the evening address, Zelensky reported the results of two missile strikes, as a result of which, according to Ukrainian data, two Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers were destroyed and a launcher of the Iskander operational-tactical complex was hit.
The president noted that the Ukrainian military has received additional tasks to conduct long-range operations against Russian military capabilities. He did not disclose the details of these decisions.
As previously reported by Kurs.com.ua, on October 26, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that the Russian army had used about 80 missiles flying along a ballistic trajectory against Ukraine during the week. This intensity of attacks creates an additional burden on Ukrainian air defense.
Amid the new intelligence information, Zelensky again called on partners to accelerate the transfer of missiles, stressing that these supplies are necessary to protect the population and critical infrastructure from Russian strikes.
