Key facts
- Ukraine has initiated operations to target Russian ballistic missile launchers near its borders.
- President Zelensky confirmed a strike on an Iskander ballistic missile launcher on August 22.
- This strategy is being employed due to a significant shortage of anti-ballistic missile interceptors.
- Ukraine has received 264 Patriot interceptor missiles this year, with requests for more.
- Germany has committed to supplying 600 PAC-2 missiles for Patriot systems in 2027-2028.
- A new anti-ballistic missile system, Freyja, is under development by European and Ukrainian companies.
Ukraine has launched a new operation targeting Russian ballistic missile launchers near its borders, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on August 22. This strategic shift comes as Kyiv faces a critical shortage of anti-ballistic missile interceptors, particularly for its Patriot systems.
Zelensky stated that Ukrainian forces struck an Iskander ballistic missile launcher near Ukraine's borders on the same day. He described this as an alternative tactic to counter the threat posed by Russian missile systems, which are often positioned in border regions like Bryansk and Kursk oblasts. The Iskander, Russia's primary surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missile system, has a range of approximately 500 kilometers and has been used in combined attacks with North Korean KN-23 and Zircon cruise missiles.
"In other words, we're working to prevent them from carrying out large-scale missile attacks. These are individual, complex operations, and we're now starting to see the first results," Zelensky told journalists, suggesting these actions have already deterred some planned Russian attacks.
Zelensky also provided details on missile stocks and supply. He estimated Russia's annual ballistic missile production capacity at up to 1,300, with current reserves of 600-630 missiles. Ukraine has received 264 Patriot interceptor missiles this year, falling short of the Air Force's request for 360. Kyiv is seeking to secure 5-10% of U.S. stocks and is prepared to pay for them. Additionally, Germany has agreed to provide 600 PAC-2 missiles for Patriot systems, expected in 2027-2028.
Looking to the future, Zelensky mentioned progress on the Freyja project, a joint European-Ukrainian initiative to develop a new anti-ballistic missile system, which has moved from political discussions to the technical stage.