On November 11, 2026, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced during a press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen the country’s plans for implementing new defense systems. In particular, Ukraine hopes to test its first European ballistic defense system this winter, which is being developed in collaboration with international partners.
Plans for Ballistic Defense
Zelensky noted that Ukraine would not be able to implement such a project independently, making support from European countries crucial. He emphasized the hope of achieving initial results in the coming months:
- Testing of the new ballistic defense system is scheduled for winter 2026.
- Denmark will join the development of the FREYJA system, including the production of radar complexes.
- Denmark will also play a coordinating role in the project, facilitating cooperation between defense companies and partner states.
Protection of Ships in the Black Sea
In addition to ballistic defense, Zelensky also discussed the issue of protecting shipping in the Black Sea. He pointed out that Russia continues to attack ships regardless of their flag, creating a serious threat to civilian shipping and Ukrainian agricultural exports. To address this issue, Ukraine:
- Is considering the use of drones for escorting ships.
- Is working with international partners to develop a mechanism for protecting commercial vessels.
- Hopes to implement these initiatives soon.
Zelensky stressed that the protection of ships is critically important for ensuring the safety of Ukraine's agricultural exports, as Russian attacks pose significant risks to maritime transport.