Ukraine approves Vidmak drone system to target Russian vehicles
"These high-speed FPV drones are capable of chasing down any wheeled vehicles of the invaders," the Defense Ministry said.
Defense production
'Europe did more than the US' — EU defense commissioner pushes back against Trump accusations
Editor's note: The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. Donald Trump's return to the White House has forced Kyiv and other European capitals to ask themselves a sobering question: What will happen to Western support for Ukraine if the U.S. withdraws? The U.S. has been, by
‘We cannot survive’ without foreign weapons, say Ukrainian soldiers fearing looming Trump cuts
A looming dropoff in U.S. weapons deliveries is threatening to strain Ukraine’s budding domestic arms production to the breaking point. As U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration prepares negotiations with their Russian counterparts, Ukrainians fear being cut out of negotiations — and cut off from future U.S.
US provides 30% of Ukraine's weapons, domestic production covers 40%, Zelensky says
"This does not bring tranquility but rather a moral belief that we will not be left empty-handed, of course, without the support of the United States," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Raiffeisen Bank cooperates with companies supplying Russian army, Bloomberg reports
In 2023, the Russian branch of Raiffeisen Bank earned over $1 billion in the first three quarters, which accounted for about 50% of the group's total profit. The bank also paid 277 million euros ($284 million) in taxes to Russia over the same period, Bloomberg reported.
Sweden unveils its largest military aid package for Ukraine worth $1.2 billion
The package includes 16 CB90 combat boats with weapons stations, a million rounds of 12.7 mm ammunition, 146 trucks, 1,500 TOW anti-tank missiles, as well as 200 AT4 anti-tank launchers.
Ukraine developing its own air defense system to combat Russia's 'Oreshnik,' Syrskyi says
"We have the capacities and capabilities to create, and we are working on creating, our own domestic air defense complex," Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky said on Jan. 19.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine, UK sign 100-year partnership agreement
Key developments on Jan. 16: * Ukraine, UK sign 100-year partnership agreement, pledges $3.6 billion in military support * Ukrainian drones strike oil depot, gunpowder factory in Russia * Ukrainian paratroopers capture 27 Russian soldiers in Kursk Oblast * Ukraine extends cooperation with Norwegian NASAMS systems supplier * Ukrainian military releases footage of rare
Why Ukraine’s long-delayed missile production ambitions have yet to get off the ground
The Ukrainian government in recent months has been aggressively touting fresh developments in its missile-making. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the country had built 100 of its own missiles in 2024 as of November. He called for 3,000 “cruise missiles or missile-drones” to be manufactured in 2025. Traditional missiles
UK to finance production of air defense, long-range weapons in Ukraine, Umerov says
"The U.K. has already invested in the production of our weapons, and this collaboration continues — specifically, funding will be directed toward the production of air defense systems and long-range weapons," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.
Denmark, Norway to buy $183 million in arms for Kyiv from Ukrainian manufacturers in 2025
Denmark has reserved 135 million euros ($139 million) for further purchases under the "Danish model," buying arms for Ukraine directly from Ukrainian arms manufacturers. Norway is expected to contribute another 43 million euros ($44 million) to this initiative.
Ukrainian drones made up over 96% of UAVs military used in 2024, defense minister says
The domestic drone industry "reached unprecedented production volumes" in 2024, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on Dec. 28.
US allocates almost $254 million for increasing missile production
The U.S. Defense Department has provided $253.7 million to Williams International (Williams) through the Defense Production Act (DPA).
Ukrainian volunteers developing more powerful model of Trembita missile capable of reaching Moscow, The Economist reports
The Trembita is significantly cheaper than Western or Russian cruise missiles, and operates like the V1 flying bombs used by Germany during World War II.
How Ukraine’s new drone-missile hybrids are changing long-range weapon technology
Ukraine has turbo-charged its long-distance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), making “rocket-drones” to compete with cruise missiles or save the trouble of asking for more Western-made ranged weapons. President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration has been showing off the latest results, with videos of the Peklo and Palianytsia missile-drones, which Ukrainian soldiers
Ukraine delivered 200,000 domestically-produced drones to front-line units so far in December, Umerov says
The Ukrainian military has proven to be a pioneer in drone technology, using innovative ways to undermine Russia's material and numerical advantage.
Russia to mass-produce Oreshnik ballistic missiles, Putin claims
Large-scale production of Russia's nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile is a goal for "the near future," Putin alleged at a defense ministry board meeting on Dec. 16.
Estonia urges NATO allies to boost defense spending to counter Russian threat, Reuters reports
"Everybody in NATO and in the EU right now has the feeling in their backbone that you should increase defense expenditure because of what is happening all over the world and with Russia," Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal told Reuters.
Zelensky announces 'successful tests' of new Ukrainian missile
Successful tests of a new Ukrainian missile, dubbed Ruta (Rue), are underway, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Dec. 10.
Ukrainian forces to receive 30,000 DeepStrike drones in 2025 as part of Zelensky's resilience plan, minister says
The new generation of DeepStrike drones can "operate autonomously over long distances, hitting targets with high accuracy," according to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
Ukraine withdraws over 20,000 mortar shells due to malfunction
Out of 54,000 120 mm mortar shells suspected of having defects, about 24,000 are to be withdrawn, Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin said on Nov. 28.
Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drone strikes oil depot in Russia; Ukrainian volunteers in Poland sign contracts with Armed Forces
Key developments on Nov. 12: * Ukrainian drone strikes oil depot in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, local official claims * Russia deploys assault groups to Zaporizhzhia Oblast, military says * Ukraine's 2025 budget includes $1.3 billion for weapons production, minister says * Ukrainian volunteers in Poland sign contracts with Armed Forces * British PM Starmer
Ukraine's 2025 budget includes $1.3 billion for weapons production, minister says
Some Hr 54.55 billion ($1.3 billion) will be directly allocated for the development and implementation of new technologies, and the expansion of defense production capacity, according to Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin.
German Rheinmetall plant in Ukraine is 'legitimate' target for Russia, Kremlin says
The military plant of the German concern Rheinmetall, which opened in late October in Ukraine, is a "legitimate" target for Russian attacks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Oct. 29.
Estonia considering buying defense equipment from Ukraine, official says
"We need to understand here that this can only be done in such a way that if we buy, then Ukraine gets more money. And they will be able to produce more for their army," Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said.
Defense minister confirms more weapons pledges, arms production after foreign visit
The U.K. pledged to provide additional long-range weapons, artillery systems, and robotic systems, while French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the possibility of opening a training center for drone operators in France, according to the announcement.
AeroVironment plans to start producing Switchblade kamikaze drones in Ukraine
The U.S.-based AeroVironment signed an agreement with a Ukrainian company to localize its production of Switchblade 600 loitering munitions, marking the latest of several recent agreements between Ukrainian and foreign companies to produce weaponry in Ukraine.
European defense manufacturer KNDS opens office in Ukraine
French-German defense company KNDS has opened an office in Kyiv to support Ukraine carry out the domestic maintenance and repair of weapons systems, the company announced on Oct. 1.
Ukraine launched production of 155-mm artillery shells, official says
Ukraine already produces its own 155 mm artillery ammunition, said Oleksandr Kamyshin, newly appointed advisor to the President of Ukraine on strategic issues.
Expert on Ukraine's defense production boost, future prospects
The Kyiv Independent’s Natalia Yermak interviews Ukrainian-Canadian lawyer and business advisor, Daniel Bilak, about the potential for investment in Ukraine and its defense sector.
Ukraine building underground weapons factories, Zelensky says
Ukraine is building weapons underground to supply the military with arms in the event of delays in military aid from abroad, President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the Ambrosetti International Economic Forum in Italy on Sept. 7.
Lithuania to allocate $11 million to buy Palianytsia missile-drones for Ukraine
Lithuania will allocate 10 million euros ($11 million) to buy new Ukrainian-made Palianytsia missile-drones for Kyiv, former Strategic Industries Minister Alexander Kamyshin said on Sept. 6.
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