Zelensky slams world’s ‘absurd’ lack of interceptor missiles after deadly Russian attack on Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday said it is “absurd” that the world’s defense-missile production cannot meet the demand needed to protect his country, after Russia’s latest deadly barrage.

Zelensky said the current shortage of arms to defend Ukraine is unacceptable, especially when it comes to US Patriot missiles, calling on producers to ramp up their manufacturing or allow Kyiv to get involved in the process.

“It is simply absurd ​that, in the modern world, ​production has still not been scaled up to the level actually ​required to protect ​people from ballistic terror,” Zelensky said in his nightly address after Moscow’s devastating strikes on the country’s capital of Kyiv.

The attack saw Russia launch multiple waves of drones and missiles at Ukraine overnight, leaving at least 22 people dead and another 60 injured.

Zelensky said Ukraine’s forces were able to intercept six of the Russian Kalibr missiles and 31 out of the 33 cruise missiles.

“Meaning whenever the necessary capabilities are available, our warriors deliver truly high interception rates,” Zelensky said on social media. “That is the only explanation for the problem with ballistic missiles – insufficient number of interceptors.”

To overcome the lack of resources, Zelensky once again pitched the idea of allowing Ukraine to produce the weapons in-house, including America’s Patriot missiles.

“If Ukraine were granted US licenses to produce Patriots, our own production would be sufficient both to protect Ukraine and to help partners in need,” the Ukrainian president claimed.

“We are in contact with everyone around the world who can provide air defense missiles now. This is our top priority,” he added.

Zelensky warned that Moscow would keep hitting residential buildings in Kyiv and across Ukraine so long as the Patriot missile shortages continued.

Monday’s attack, which saw Russia fire 68 missiles and 351 drones, was part of an increasing bombardment campaign against Ukraine in general and Kyiv specifically, where at least eight deaths were confirmed.

The attack comes just days after a combined Russian attack killed at least 31 people in the capital last week.