Zelenskyy flags Iran war impact, warns of air defence shortages as Russia intensifies offensive

Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that the ongoing Iran-linked conflict in the Middle East is diverting global attention and critical military resources away from Ukraine, potentially weakening Kyiv’s air defence capabilities at a crucial stage of the war with Russia.

In remarks from an interview with Le Monde, later shared on X, Zelenskyy said the shifting geopolitical focus has already begun to affect Ukraine’s access to advanced systems, particularly U.S.-made Patriot missiles. He noted that Washington has redirected some of its air defence resources toward the Middle East, raising concerns about shortages in Ukraine.

“The United States has reached out to us regarding their bases in Middle Eastern countries… We’re already working with some of them, and our expert teams are on the ground,” Zelenskyy said, highlighting Kyiv’s growing security cooperation with Gulf nations. He added that Ukraine is offering its battle-tested drone interception expertise in exchange for access to advanced air defence missiles.

Zelenskyy stressed that traditional systems alone are no longer sufficient to counter modern aerial threats. “No matter how many Patriots or THAADs are in the Middle East, that alone is not enough,” he said, underlining the importance of integrated systems and interceptor drones developed during the war with Russia.

At the same time, the Ukrainian leader flagged a deepening financial strain on the country’s defence industry, which he said is operating at only half capacity. “Funding is the scarcest resource today… We need more financing to produce drones,” he said, adding that Ukraine is open to selling surplus systems to partners while sharing operational expertise.

On the broader war effort, Zelenskyy warned that delays in European financial support could have serious consequences. A proposed €90-billion assistance package from the European Union remains stalled, raising concerns over funding for drone production and air defence procurement. “Otherwise, the Ukrainian army will be underfunded… This is a risk to European security,” he said.

Zelenskyy also claimed that Russia is suffering heavy losses despite intensifying its offensive. “In historical terms, the Russians are losing, one hundred per cent,” he said, claiming Moscow is incurring between 30,000 and 35,000 casualties per month. He added that Russia is struggling to sustain recruitment and training, relying heavily on financial incentives to maintain troop levels.

His remarks come as Russia ramps up attacks in eastern Ukraine, launching large-scale drone and missile strikes, while Kyiv continues retaliatory drone operations deep into Russian territory. With the conflict entering its fifth year, concerns are mounting in Europe that prolonged war and shifting global priorities could alter the balance on the ground.