Russia fired 1,770 drones at Ukraine in one week. Zelenskyy says the factories must be the target.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russian forces struck Ukraine with 1,770 armed drones, more than 1,530 guided bombs, and 86 missiles over the past week, including over 20 ballistic missiles. 

He highlighted that each of these ballistic missiles contains at least 60 foreign components, supplied to Russia in violation of international sanctions.

Dismantle the factories – not just the missiles

Zelenskyy said the supply chains for these components are known and need to be dismantled. “If the world does not have enough air defense systems to cover both Europe and the Middle East against ballistic threats simultaneously, we must take away Russia’s ability to assemble missiles in their factories,” he said.

The president expressed gratitude to countries and organizations continuing sanctions work aimed at protecting civilian lives. He framed the destruction of Russia’s missile production capabilities as a necessary step to reduce attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure and population.

A winter campaign built on foreign parts

The latest strikes are part of a broader winter campaign in which Russian forces have increasingly targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure and urban centers. Ukrainian officials have noted a dramatic rise in missile and drone attacks this year, placing sustained pressure on air defense units. 

The country relies heavily on systems like the Patriot missiles, which remain its only effective defense against long-range ballistic attacks, and the strain on these resources has forced Ukraine to coordinate closely with international partners for support and replenishment.

Defense and disruption – Ukraine's two-track strategy

Zelenskyy’s statement underscores Ukraine’s dual approach: defending against immediate attacks while working internationally to limit Russia’s ability to produce weapons in the long term. 

By linking the missile strikes to their supply chains and factory production, he highlighted the broader strategy of sanctions and export controls as a way to protect civilians and reduce the operational capacity of Russian forces.