Ukraine to Push NATO for More Air Defence as Russian Missiles Overwhelm Defences
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to press NATO allies for additional air defence systems at a meeting in Turkey this week, following a series of intense Russian missile and drone strikes that have exposed gaps in Ukraine's aerial protection.
On Monday, Russia launched a large-scale attack using both drones and ballistic missiles. Ukraine's air force reported that while it successfully intercepted nearly all drones, it failed to stop any of the ballistic missiles. The inability to counter these high-speed weapons has become a critical vulnerability.
Ballistic missiles travel at several thousand kilometres per hour, making them extremely difficult to intercept. US-made Patriot systems, which are among the few capable of shooting down such missiles, remain in limited supply in Ukraine. Zelensky has repeatedly called for increased production and delivery of these systems.
In a video address on Monday, Zelensky described the situation as “simply absurd” that global production of air defence missiles has not been scaled up sufficiently “to protect people from ballistic terror.” He voiced hope that the upcoming NATO meeting would not be “empty,” urging allies to provide concrete commitments.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called on member states to “pull their weight” and ensure Ukraine has the resources needed to defend its sovereignty. Rutte noted that Kyiv is “changing the dynamic on the battlefield” through efforts to stall Russian ground advances in the east, as well as recent drone strikes that have reportedly given Ukraine an edge.
However, the intensification of aerial warfare has shifted the focus to air defence. The phrase “window of opportunity” is frequently used in diplomatic circles, but Ukraine's ability to hold ground depends heavily on protecting its skies.
Meanwhile, Russian social media accounts have shown long queues at petrol stations and disputes over limited fuel supplies, indicating domestic strain from the conflict. These developments, while not directly affecting the military situation, highlight the broader impact of the war.
The NATO meeting in Turkey is expected to be a key moment for Ukraine to secure more air defence systems, particularly Patriots and similar platforms, to counter Russia's ballistic missile threat.
