Russia fired more than 2,300 attack drones, nearly 1,560 guided aerial bombs, and 108 missiles of various types at Ukraine over the past week, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says. He also confirms that Ukraine had received a new IRIS-T launcher from Germany the previous day.
The arithmetic of air defense remains brutal: Russia fires hundreds of weapons on cities and villages, while Ukraine's Patriot air defense systems are running on rationed missile stocks. The shortage extends across other Western systems. Meanwhile, Russia continues to hit "ordinary civilian infrastructure — residential buildings, energy," says the Ukrainian president.
Zelenskyy was direct about the bottleneck: "We also need missiles for the air defense systems, to have enough capability to repel Russian attacks."
What does IRIS-T launcher do?
IRIS-T is a modern surface-to-air missile defense system manufactured by the German company Diehl Defence. The system is designed to engage aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles, Ukraine's Defense Ministry reports.
The high-tech IRIS-T missiles are capable of rapid maneuvering, engaging targets both head-on and in pursuit, and are equipped with highly sensitive infrared seekers. They can intercept modern aircraft, overcome their defensive countermeasures, and distinguish real targets from decoys.
Currently, two versions of the IRIS-T system are in service:
- IRIS-T SLS (Short-Range) – range of up to 12 km and altitude of up to 8 km.
- IRIS-T SLM (Medium-Range) – range of up to 40 km and altitude of up to 20 km.
"We need missiles": Sweden, PURL, and interceptor gap
Zelenskyy notes that Ukraine this week secured a new support package from Sweden, including reinforcement of Ukrainian aviation with Gripen fighter jets, and reported fresh contributions to the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program.
"We are counting on both the US and European partners. Anti-ballistic defense is one of the key priorities for Ukraine," he said.
Strong air defense, he added, "can give more protection to our people and deprive Russia of its last advantage."
He closed with a line: "It is very important that there be understanding: choosing war will have consequences."
