President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on Monday, May 25, that Ukraine achieved stronger battlefield results this year and managed to stabilize parts of the front despite ongoing Russian attacks.
“Everything is not simple. We are actively defending ourselves, but this year we have achieved greater results than before,” Zelensky said.
The president added that criticism and complaints from Russian military bloggers indirectly confirm Ukraine’s recent successes on the battlefield.
“It is especially pleasing when this is clearly confirmed even by the whining of the so-called Russian ‘war correspondents,’” Zelensky said.
According to the president, Ukraine strengthened its battlefield positions through drone operations, long-range strikes and technological innovations.
“Thanks to the courage of our people, thanks to drones, various technological solutions, mid-strikes and our long-range sanctions, we managed to stabilize the front,” he said.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukrainian forces advanced in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area and the Hulyaipole direction.
ISW also reported that Russian nationalist milbloggers dismissed the strikes as mostly symbolic and noted that the strikes come amid Russian failures on the battlefield.
Zelensky warns of anti-ballistic missile shortage
Separately, Zelensky said Ukraine continues discussions with international partners over additional air defense systems.
He said anti-ballistic systems are currently in global shortage because of the war involving Iran.
“We are working with all our partners regarding air defense for Ukraine – it is clear this is the number one priority,” Zelensky said.
“And anti-ballistic systems are now in global deficit because of the war with Iran.”
According to the president, Ukraine recently discussed air defense cooperation with French President Emmanuel Macron, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
Zelensky also said Kyiv is trying to accelerate anti-ballistic missile production in Europe while continuing talks with the United States on additional support.
Earlier the co-owner and CEO of Ukrainian arms maker Fire Point Denys Shtilerman said, that the company is developing a new air defense system called Freya together with Europe, positioning it as a lower-cost alternative to the US’s MIM-104 Patriot system.
Shtilerman, speaking at a parliamentary hearing, said the project aims to create an air defense system capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. He said the program is currently in the testing phase for prototype systems.
“If everything goes well, we will have the first interceptions by the end of the year,” Shtilerman said.
According to a senior Ukrainian Air Force officer in March, up to eight missiles were fired to take down a single Iranian drone in the Middle East, compared with one or two against Russian missiles in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense described the latest generation PAC-3 missile – estimated to cost around $4 million per unit – as “the most effective interceptor” against advanced Russian missiles in a press release.