Zelensky: Russia is cutting missile production and betting on attack drones
According to the president, the Russian Federation is reallocating resources to UAVs, while missile production is decreasing
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview with the American publication New York Post said that Russia is reducing missile production and betting on strike drones: currently about 350–500 drones per day are being used against Ukraine, and Moscow is aiming in 2026 for 600–800 launches daily with a subsequent increase to 1000 devices per day.
According to the head of state, this restructuring of the Russian defense industry means a shift to mass UAV swarms instead of dominant missile strikes, which requires Ukraine to respond systemically with cheaper and faster means of interception.
Assessing the scale and dynamics of the threat, Zelensky noted that a multiple increase in the number of interceptors is needed to repel mass attacks on a daily basis.
“This quantity has to be shot down by interceptor drones, and about 2-3 thousand interceptors are needed for that, no fewer”
He provided economic calculations, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of interceptor drones: one such unit costs approximately $3–5k. Destroying a “Shahed” costs about $10k., while a Patriot SAM missile is priced at about $4 million.
“Ukraine spends $10k to shoot down a drone, while a Middle Eastern country – $4 million. This is the experience we are offering”
At the same time, the president warned that relying only on expensive anti-aircraft missiles will not stop mass attacks by cheap UAVs, since their use is growing exponentially.
“One such drone is 40 times cheaper than a ‘Patriot’ missile. Therefore, it is impossible to compete with drones – there simply won’t be enough resources”
Zelensky reminded that Ukraine has an extensive air defense system, and the United States has powerful anti-ballistic capabilities; combining these technologies, he said, makes it possible to build an effective “closed sky” over any country.
Separately, the head of state emphasized that Kyiv is offering allies practical partnership — exchange of technologies and experience, joint creation of defense systems, and strengthening global security.
“Today Ukraine is number one in these technologies, and the US has the strongest army in the world. If there is no capable security alliance, there will be war. War comes when you are weak or alone”
Previously we wrote:
- Ukraine is creating its own air defense dome against mass drone attacks
- Ukraine is creating an air shield of interceptor drones: a new stage of defense!
- Shaheds are being adapted by the Russians to Ukrainian interceptors – next will be jet drones
- Ukraine is preparing a mass hunt for “Shaheds”: interceptors are already in combat, the West is providing funds
- Ukraine activates hunter drones to defend against Russia’s mass attacks
