Russia is preparing an “air wave” intended to cover Ukraine. Moscow's overall goal is to produce 1,000 drones per day, which is a triple increase from the recent amount of targets. To counter this, Kyiv needs around 2,000–3,000 interceptors, says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, per The New York Post.
According to him, Russia is reducing missile production and redirecting funds toward increasing drone manufacturing.
Drones vs. million-dollar missiles: Ukraine searches for an answer
“Today, Russia’s attacks on Ukraine involve 350–500 drones per day. Russia wants to reach 600–800 drones in 2026, but their overall goal is 1,000 drones per day,” the Ukrainian president claims.
Zelenskyy states that this number must be intercepted by interceptor drones, and that countering it requires about 2,000–3,000 such systems.
“What is our expertise? The fact that an interceptor drone costs $3,000–$5,000. That means about $10,000 is spent on one Shahed, while a missile for the Patriot system costs $4 million,” the Ukrainian leader emphasizes.
Zelenskyy also says that Russia mobilizes 40,000–45,000 people every month. To prevent the Russian army from growing, Ukraine needs to eliminate approximately the same number.
War of attrition: tens of thousands monthly
“To eliminate them only so that Russia does not expand its aggression. Over the past three months, we took out 30,000, 35,000, and 28,000 Russian troops, respectively,” he states.
That is nearly 100,000 people, Zelenskyy says, adding, "Imagine how much Russia is sacrificing for this war."
He claims that Ukraine wants peace, just like US President Donald Trump.
“So we are allies on this issue, and there should be no doubt about it. We must move toward this goal,” he stresses.
Zelenskyy explains that Ukraine wants peace far more than Russian President Putin does.
“Although Putin is doing everything to make it appear that he wants it, and Ukraine does not,” he says.
Zelenskyy states that he wants the US to trust Ukraine as a partner.
“Even in this situation, when it was necessary to help the Middle East, we responded immediately to the request. This is what alliance looks like,” he claims.
Zelenskyy also noted that it is necessary to search for options for a peace agreement every day, and that Ukraine seeks a meeting with Americans, adding that “we have several ideas on how we can bring this war to an end.”
