'Hunting their launch sites' — Zelensky reveals new details about Ukraine's ballistic missile defense

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on August 22 that Ukraine has initiated a new operation targeting Russian ballistic missile launch sites close to the country's borders, as the nation grapples with a shortage of anti-ballistic missiles capable of intercepting such weapons. The Ukrainian military successfully struck an Iskander ballistic missile launcher near the Ukrainian border on the same day, although Zelensky did not provide additional details about the operation.

The Iskander is a primary surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missile system with a range of approximately 500 kilometers, often launched from mobile erector-launcher systems within Russian territory near border regions like Bryansk or Kursk oblasts. Zelensky explained that this strike is part of a broader effort to locate and neutralize Russian missile systems positioned near Ukraine, as the country faces a critical shortage of Patriot anti-ballistic missile interceptors.

The Iskander is complemented by North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles and advanced Zircon cruise missiles, which have been used extensively in recent attacks on Ukrainian targets. With Ukraine's stocks of Patriot interceptors almost depleted, strikes against Iskander launchers have been proposed as an alternative method to combat the Iskander threat; however, Ukraine has lacked the means to swiftly detect and target these launch sites.

Zelensky stated that Russia may produce up to 1,300 ballistic missiles annually, currently holding around 600–630, with potential to increase to 100 per month. Ukraine is actively seeking more Patriot interceptors ahead of winter, currently having received only 264 this year, falling short of its target of 360. The Air Force has requested an additional 360 missiles, with Ukraine aiming to secure 5–10% of U.S. stocks in exchange for payment.

Germany has pledged to provide 600 PAC-2 missiles for Patriot systems in 2027–2028, while ongoing negotiations with Washington aim to secure additional supplies. Zelensky also highlighted the Freyja project, a joint endeavor by European and Ukrainian defense companies to develop a new anti-ballistic missile system, transitioning from discussions to technical implementation.