Russia produces up to 140 ballistic missiles every month — Zelenskyy
According to Ukraine, Russia has up to 700 ballistic missiles in its arsenal. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also stated that Russian industry produces an additional 130–140 such missiles every month. He called on partners to increase pressure on Russia and impose sanctions on companies involved in weapons production.
Russia has a significant stockpile of ballistic missiles and continues to produce new ones. According to data available to Ukraine, the Russian arsenal may contain up to 700 ballistic missiles. According to the head of state, this is not limited to ballistic missiles. In total, Russia has several thousand more missiles of other types. “According to our data, Russia has a stockpile of up to 700 ballistic missiles and several thousand other missiles. This is information we have; that is the size of their reserve,” Zelenskyy said. The president also noted that Russia continues to replenish this stockpile. According to him, Russian industry produces approximately 130–140 ballistic missiles every month.
In other words, even with a large stockpile, Russia has not stopped producing new weapons. That is why, according to Zelenskyy, it is important for Ukraine and its partners to work not only on intercepting Russian missiles but also on reducing Russia’s ability to produce them. “We must fight this, and we are fighting it. These are their production sites. These are our far-reaching sanctions,” the president stated.
Zelenskyy called on international partners to intensify sanctions pressure on Russia. Specifically, this refers to restrictions that could hinder the operations of enterprises within Russia’s defense-industrial complex. Protecting Ukraine from ballistic strikes remains a separate challenge. Such missiles follow a ballistic trajectory and can reach their targets in a short amount of time.
To counter ballistic missiles, Ukraine relies heavily on Patriot systems. Zelenskyy has previously emphasized that Ukraine needs interceptor missiles for these systems to defend against Russian ballistic strikes. Against this backdrop, Ukraine is also developing its own weapons systems. The president reported on the first use of the Ukrainian FP-7 tactical ballistic missile.
In addition, Kyiv is working on new ways to counter Russian jet-powered drones. Zelenskyy stated that by the end of October, Ukraine plans to begin using domestically produced small missiles to intercept them. Thus, according to Ukrainian assessments, Russia possesses a significant stockpile of ballistic weapons and continues to replenish it. Kyiv is insisting on tougher sanctions against Russian manufacturing while simultaneously working to strengthen its own air and missile defense capabilities. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made this statement during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Kyiv.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the “Bars” interceptors have demonstrated the highest interception rate of Russian jet drones among similar systems. According to him, other interceptors are also gradually increasing their effectiveness, and the overall success rate stands at about 30%. Ukraine manufactures “Barsa” drones jointly with Germany and plans to acquire 2,000 such drones.
