This Sunday, May 31, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked his European partner and recalled that his country also needed “missiles for air defense systems in order to have sufficient capabilities to repel Russian attacks.”
“During this week, the Russians launched more than 2,300 attack drones, nearly 1,560 guided aerial bombs and 108 missiles of various types against our people,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared on his X account.
A statement which comes as Berlin delivered a new Iris-T SLM anti-missile defense system to Kyiv, to allow Ukraine to strengthen its air defense. “We thank Germany for its constant contribution to protecting people. Thousands and thousands of lives have been saved thanks to such strong support,” added the head of state.
Over this week, the Russians have launched more than 2,300 attack drones, nearly 1,560 guided aerial bombs, and 108 missiles of various types against our people. All these strikes were directed simply at ordinary civilian infrastructure – residential buildings and energy… pic.twitter.com/RYMLNQCKam
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир ЗеленÑький (@ZelenskyyUa) May 31, 2026
According to media information United24, this machine, made in Germany, is designed to shoot down planes, helicopters, drones and cruise missiles. Still according to our colleagues, who cite the Ministry of Defense, in December 2025, the Ukrainian forces had nine of these systems in their possession.
A need for missiles
In his message, Zelensky also reminded his partners that his country has “need missiles for air defense systems to have sufficient capabilities to repel Russian attacks.”
A problem already raised in the past by the President of Ukraine, whose arms supply also depends on agreements with the United States and European partner countries. On March 18, 2026, during an interview with the BBC, he notably expressed his fear regarding a shortage of Patriot missiles, due to the conflict in the Middle East.
And for good reason, a few days earlier, the United States entered into war against Iran.
An agreement with Sweden
Finally, Zelensky announced that an agreement with Sweden had been reached this week with“a new support package including strengthening our air force with Gripen fighter jets […] I thank all helping partners who are ready to respond effectively to Moscow’s attempts to expand and escalate its war. It is very important that this is clearly understood there,” he concluded.
