'Hunting their launch sites' — Zelensky reveals new details about Ukraine's ballistic missile defense

Live updates

1. 22d ago

   Zelenskyy Details Ukraine's Ballistic Missile Defense Strategy

   President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine is moving toward practical implementation of two key ballistic missile defense projects. This effort coincides with warnings that Russia currently possesses around 600 potent ballistic missiles and could produce up to 1,300 annually. Ukraine is focusing on "hunting" Russian launch sites and intends to mass-produce Flamingo missiles to strike within Russian territory. While Ukraine reports shooting down over 90% of Shahed drones, the administration is now prioritizing a response to more advanced Russian ballistic capabilities.

   Why it matters

   Russia's missile stockpile includes Oniks, Kalibr, and Zircon variants, allowing for potential salvos of up to 200 missiles. Ukraine's shift toward targeting mobile launchers aims to degrade this offensive capacity. The strategy reflects a broader push to bolster defenses through a "Coalition of the Willing."

   What is confirmed

   • President Zelenskyy stated Russia currently has around 600 of its most potent ballistic missiles.
   • Russia has the capacity to produce up to 1,300 ballistic missiles per year.
   • Ukraine is implementing two key projects for ballistic missile defense.
   • Zelenskyy called for the mass production of Flamingo missiles to be used in Russia.
   • Ukraine reports a shoot-down rate of over 90% for Shahed drones.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Russia could expand missile salvos to 200 in strikes against Ukraine.

   What to watch next

   • Deployment of mass-produced Flamingo missiles
   • Technical specifications of the two new ballistic defense projects
   • Evidence of increased Russian missile production rates
   Sources used for this update (17)

   1. The Kyiv Independent — 'Hunting their launch sites' — Zelensky reveals new details about Ukraine's ballistic missile defense
   2. The Times of India — ‘600-630 of most potent type weapon’: Zelenskyy’s big warning on Russian missile stockpile
   3. Українська правда — Zelenskyy: Russia could produce up to 1,300 ballistic missiles a year, currently has around 600
   4. UNITED24 Media — Russia Has 600+ Oniks, 450+ Kalibr and 120+ Zircon Missiles—and Keeps Building More
   5. Українські Національні Новини (УНН) — Ukraine moves to practical work on ballistic missile defense - Zelenskyy spoke about two key projects
   6. Военное дело — Russia Could Expand Missile Salvos to 200 in Ukraine Strikes
   7. ua.news — Ukraine struck a Russian Iskander near the border
   8. Interfax-Ukraine — Zelenskyy: Flamingos must become mass-produced birds and "winter" in Russia
   9. Українська правда — Flamingo missiles should become mass-produced "birds" and "winter" in Russia – Zelenskyy's address
   10. Українські Національні Новини (УНН) — Ukraine shoots down over 90% of Shahed drones and is preparing a response to Russian ballistic missiles, Zelenskyy says
   11. Modern Diplomacy — Can Ukraine Secure Peace Without Surrendering Territory to Russia?
   12. ua.news — Zelenskyy called on China to rein in Putin following his nuclear threats
   confidence 90%