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Ukraine could begin domestic production of Patriot interceptor missiles and Aster-30 missiles for SAMP/T air defense systems before the end of the year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, stressing the urgent need to strengthen the country’s protection against Russia’s growing ballistic missile campaign, UATV English reports.
According to Zelenskyy, work on launching Ukrainian production of Patriot missiles is progressing, with manufacturing potentially beginning before the end of 2026.
“The production of Patriot missiles by the Ukrainian team could begin before the end of the year,” the president said, adding that the same timeline also applies to Aster-30 missiles for SAMP/T systems.
Zelenskyy warned that Russia is increasingly relying on ballistic missile attacks against Ukrainian cities and called for faster deliveries of air defense systems and interceptor missiles.
“Russia is betting on ballistic terror. Ukraine needs accelerated deliveries of air defense systems and interceptor missiles,” he said.
The president noted that Russia’s latest attack on Kyiv killed two people and injured five others, including a child.
He emphasized that timely deliveries of air defense equipment remain essential for protecting civilians from continued missile strikes.
Zelenskyy also revealed that Ukraine has reached an undisclosed agreement with partners in the Middle East, though its implementation depends on the complete end of hostilities in the region.
“We have an agreement with the Middle East that we are not disclosing yet. It depends on the likelihood of the war in the Middle East ending completely,” he said.
The president also warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could intensify mobilization efforts after upcoming elections.
Separately, Zelenskyy confirmed that the European Union will allocate an additional €1 billion to support drone production in Ukraine.
“We must continue increasing pressure on the aggressor so that these attacks against human life stop and a just peace can be achieved,” he said.
Following the Ukraine–Southeast Europe Summit, Zelenskyy held bilateral meetings with participating leaders and thanked Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Albania, Croatia, and Slovenia for their continued solidarity with Ukraine.
The president noted that the visiting leaders also toured the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, which was damaged in a Russian strike in June, to witness firsthand the consequences of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s cultural heritage.
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