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

On August 22-23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed new details about Ukraine's ballistic missile defense efforts as Kyiv faces a shortage of missiles capable of intercepting Russian ballistic weapons. Ukraine has struck two Russian fighters and air defense assets in Krasnodar Krai, according to a drone commander. The country is targeting Russian ballistic missile launchers near its borders, a strategy proposed due to a lack of anti-ballistic missile interceptors.

Iskander missile launchers have been a significant threat to Ukraine, with Russia launching them from mobile erector-launcher systems in border regions. Ukraine's stock of Patriot ballistic missile interceptors is nearly empty, making strikes against Iskander launch sites an alternative method of fighting the Iskander threat. Russia is reportedly planning to mobilize around 300,000 people after State Duma elections in September, but will avoid major cities to minimize backlash.

Ukraine is seeking more Patriot interceptors and has requested 360 missiles from Germany. Additionally, Ukraine is developing a new anti-ballistic missile system called Freyja, a joint effort between European and Ukrainian defense companies.