Zelensky: Ukraine Downs 90% of Russian Drones, Ballistic Defense Still Falls Short

Ukraine’s air defense forces are intercepting more than 90% of Russian attack drones, but protection against ballistic missiles still needs to be strengthened, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday.

In a Telegram update, Zelensky said Russia launched around 1,900 attack drones, nearly 1,400 guided aerial bombs, and about 60 missiles of various types at Ukraine over the past week.

He said the scale of attacks shows the importance of new partner contributions under the PURL program, as well as the EU’s 20th sanctions package and a €90 billion ($105 billion) European support package agreed in Cyprus.

“Our air defense system is already showing a very high interception rate – more than 90% for drones,” Zelensky said. “We need to keep increasing this, especially against ballistic missiles.”

He added that every additional air defense missile means saved lives, better protected cities, and stronger protection for critical infrastructure.

In January, Zelensky said Ukraine has begun deploying a new air defense model built around small mobile teams using interceptor drones, as Russian strikes on energy infrastructure intensify.

He said the Air Force is moving to a “new approach” focused on mobile fire groups, short-range systems, and drone interception units.

“This system will be transformed,” he said.

Pavlo Yelizarov has been appointed deputy commander of the Air Force to scale up the model nationwide, overseeing a network of mobile drone interception units.

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Lukashenko: ‘No Military Action Should Be Expected From Belarus’

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said Belarus will not enter Russia’s war against Ukraine, citing Belarus’ military vulnerability, the risk of widening the front line and drawing in NATO, as well as underlining deep family ties across the Belarus-Ukraine border as key reasons. Lukashenko has issued a rare apology to President Volodymyr Zelensky, admitting he “maybe went too far” in earlier criticism.

Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said the goal is to build an “anti-drone dome” over Ukraine – a system that destroys threats before they reach targets.

He said Russia launched up to 100,000 drones in 2025, calling it one of the most intense aerial campaigns of the war and the deadliest year for Ukrainian civilians since 2022.

Air defense boost and new projects

On April 15, Zelensky said Ukraine is facing a critical shortage of Patriot air defence systems, warning that available stockpiles would shrink further if the war continues.

Ahead of the Ramstein-format meeting, Ukraine agreed with Belgium and Spain to strengthen air defense capabilities and expand aviation support for the Air Force.

Kyiv is also working with Germany on joint air defense projects, including the development of new laser-based weapons systems.

Separately, Ukraine and Germany have agreed on a €4 billion ($4.7 billion) defense cooperation package that includes the delivery of several hundred Patriot missiles.