Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia has the capacity to produce up to 1,300 ballistic missiles a year, though it currently has between 600 and 630 in its arsenal, he told journalists.
Zelensky said Russia's apparent goal was to build up to around 100 ballistic missiles a month between now and the end of winter, but that Moscow did not yet have that capacity.
He said he had cited the highest possible figure, 1,300 missiles, deliberately. Russia wants 100 ballistic missiles a month, he said, because Ukraine has become far more effective at shooting down other types of Russian missiles, using its combat aircraft, newly added IRIS-T systems and matching missiles, and Hawk air defense systems, which together intercept large numbers of Russian cruise missiles. Ballistic missiles, he said, remain a different problem, and Ukraine is now working to stop Russia reaching the 1,300 figure and to cut that number down.
Zelensky said Ukraine's Defense Forces are working to weaken Russia's military industry, including through strikes on military targets and other measures aimed at countering ballistic missile production. He added that Ukrainian troops are also planning operations meant to disrupt Russia's intentions for further missile strikes.
Patriot interceptor shortage
Ukraine is short of interceptor missiles for its MIM-104 Patriot systems, the only air defense system in the country capable of effectively shooting down Iskander-M, Kinzhal and Zircon missiles flying on ballistic and quasi-ballistic trajectories. As a result, Ukraine's effectiveness against these missile types has been declining.
Amid that shortage, Russian forces have stepped up missile strikes on Ukraine, and Ukrainian authorities have called on international partners to expand production of ballistic missile interceptors.
Air Force to limit strike data
The Ukrainian Air Force recently said it would start limiting the information included in its morning reports on Russian attacks, specifically the number of ballistic missiles Russia launches and the number Ukraine intercepts.
