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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on September 10 that Canada will contribute technology to Ukraine's European FREYJA anti-ballistic defense program and provide additional military aid as Russia continues to launch near-constant ballistic missile and drone attacks. Russia's missile attacks have intensified, often combined with waves of drones and other weaponry, resulting in significant damage to civilian infrastructure and a growing number of casualties.

The Ukrainian military is currently facing shortages of air defense systems and interceptor missiles necessary to counter the evolving threat.

During his visit to Canada on September 10, Zelenskyy met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, discussing various topics such as winter support, energy, Ukraine's financial needs, and defense cooperation. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Canada for its support and announced that the Canadian government had decided to join the European anti-ballistic program FREYJA with its technologies. Zelenskyy emphasized this as a necessary and timely step, as Ukraine faces a global shortage of air defense systems and missiles.

The escalation of Russia's aerial attacks, including an increased number of drones and a variety of missile types, has put greater pressure on Ukraine's air defenses. Zelenskyy highlighted the changing nature of these attacks, noting that Russia is employing increasingly faster and more numerous drones, alongside ballistic and other missiles.

These attacks are reaching deep into Ukraine, striking key targets such as cities, energy facilities, transport and logistics infrastructure, and industrial sites located far from the front line. As a result, layered air defense systems have become crucial in defending against the diverse array of threats.

Given the ongoing winter threat, Ukraine is in need of systems capable of intercepting various types of aerial weapons, from slower attack drones to much faster ballistic missiles. The additional air defense assistance from Canada is vital for Ukraine to bolster its defense capabilities and ensure its survival during the harsh winter months. Zelenskyy also thanked Canada for its ongoing support throughout the war, stating that Ukraine must remain strong to secure a "strong and lasting peace."