Ukraine is currently intercepting around 90% of Russian drones and nearly 80% of cruise missiles, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said on Tuesday, May 12.
In a Telegram post, Fedorov said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visited an air defense position and an energy facility in Kyiv that had previously been targeted by Russian strikes.
Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit on Monday, to discuss expanding defense-industrial cooperation and joint weapons production with Ukraine. The trip was kept secret ahead of time for security reasons. Speaking upon the arrival, Pistorius said Berlin and Kyiv are preparing new joint arms development projects, including advanced drone systems of varying ranges, some capable of striking deep behind enemy lines.
According to Fedorov, Ukrainian officials demonstrated systems used to counter Shahed drones, including mobile fire groups and anti-drone technologies.
Russia sharply increased attacks on energy sector
Fedorov said last winter was among the most difficult for Ukraine as Russia nearly doubled the number of attacks.
Over several months, Moscow launched more than 1,000 ballistic and cruise missiles as well as 27,000 Shahed drones, primarily targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, he said.
“The main target was Ukrainian energy infrastructure and large-scale blackouts during freezing temperatures up to -20°C,” Fedorov wrote.
Germany remains key air defense partner
Fedorov described Germany as one of Ukraine’s key partners in strengthening air defenses, citing deliveries of Patriot missiles and support through the PURL mechanism.
“Each such missile saved lives and helped protect Ukraine’s energy system,” he said.
While Ukraine has significantly improved its interception rates against drones and cruise missiles, ballistic missiles remain a major challenge, Fedorov added.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, speaking ahead of an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, that Ukraine has emerged from its most difficult winter in a stronger military position, with the front line stabilized and air defenses now intercepting “up to 90%” of incoming Russian drones.
“On the battlefield, we have stabilized the front,” he said. “We are also now in a position where we are closing the skies.”
According to him, Ukrainian forces are now shooting down as many as nine out of 10 aerial targets used in Russian attacks.