President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the current state of Ukraine’s air defense, emphasizing the difficulties the country faces during the winter period. According to him, the number of missiles for air defense in Ukraine has not increased, while Russia has significantly boosted its stockpile of missiles for attacks.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Increase in Missile Threat and Need for Air Defense
The head of state highlighted that Ukraine has acquired more air defense systems, but Russia continues to actively use ballistic missiles, the number of which has risen. Zelensky specifically noted that Russia is receiving components for missile production from third countries and called for strengthening sanctions and limiting such opportunities for the aggressor.
“We have a bit more systems, but also a lot more ballistic missiles that Russia is using. Unfortunately, they are receiving components from partner countries. However, we need to reduce their capabilities to produce these missiles, but this is not happening yet,” Zelensky emphasized.
The president also pointed out that Ukraine needs a greater number of missiles for air defense, especially against ballistic threats, as only Patriot system missiles can effectively intercept them.
Massive Strikes and Consequences for the Regions
Russian troops continue to carry out massive attacks on Ukraine, using a wide arsenal of weapons, including ballistic and cruise missiles and strike drones. On the night of January 20, 2026, the occupiers attacked one of the regions with a Zircon anti-ship missile, 18 ballistic missiles, and 15 cruise missiles, as well as 339 strike UAVs, of which about 250 were Shahed-type drones. The main focus of the strike was on the Kyiv region.
In Kyiv, as a result of the enemy attack, one person was injured, and power and water supply disruptions were recorded on the left bank of the capital. After another shelling, 5,635 apartment buildings were left without heating, with nearly 80% of them having already returned to heating after previous attacks in early January.
In Vinnytsia region, a critical infrastructure facility was hit during the night attack, while in Odesa region, damage to an energy facility was reported, and in Poltava region, a strike on an industrial facility was noted.
Russian military forces systematically use strike drones, missiles, aerial bombs, and multiple launch rocket systems to attack various regions of Ukraine.
The Russian leadership continues to deny the facts of targeted shelling of civilian infrastructure, hospitals, schools, kindergartens, energy, and water supply facilities, which leads to the deaths of civilians and widespread destruction.
Ukrainian authorities and international organizations classify such strikes as war crimes and emphasize their targeted nature.