Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signaled a strategic shift in the conflict with Russia, identifying control of the air as the decisive factor that will determine the war’s outcome. Speaking in an interview on the eve of a NATO summit in Turkey, Zelenskyy stated that while Ukraine has successfully resisted Russian advances on land and sea, the “battle in the sky” is now the critical front.
Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s ability to deny Russia dominance at sea, citing the use of naval drones to push back the Russian fleet from much of the western Black Sea. With Moscow’s ground offensives stalled and its naval power curtailed, the emphasis has turned to airspace control. According to Zelenskyy, this domain demands a different approach, one less dependent on territorial size or manpower, where Ukraine can remain competitive.
In addition to conventional airspace, Ukrainian forces have extended their reach with long-range drone strikes targeting military and energy infrastructure deep inside Russian territory. These operations recently included an attack on the Omsk refinery in western Siberia, located approximately 2,500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Zelenskyy described the development and deployment of these drones as transformative, weakening Russia’s war capabilities and signaling that Kyiv can strike critical assets far beyond the frontlines.
Despite these advances, Zelenskyy underscored Ukraine’s vulnerability in air defense, pointing to a persistent shortage of anti-ballistic missile systems as a major concern. Recent Russian attacks on Kyiv, involving hundreds of drones and missiles, have inflicted casualties and exposed gaps in Ukraine’s missile defense. In one recent attack, Ukrainian forces failed to intercept any of the 29 ballistic missiles launched against the capital, resulting in at least 15 deaths and dozens of injuries. Zelenskyy noted that US-made Patriot interceptors often arrive just before or after large-scale attacks, limiting their effectiveness in protecting civilian areas.
Zelenskyy also referenced a recent conversation with former US President Donald Trump, in which Trump reportedly complimented Ukraine’s drone campaign and expressed optimism about the conflict’s progress. While Zelenskyy stopped short of confirming whether this indicates a shift in Trump’s stance, he suggested the former president is paying closer attention to Ukraine’s successes amid upcoming elections and broader political considerations. Trump himself has publicly stated that the end of the war between Russia and Ukraine may be nearer than widely believed, asserting that both Putin and Zelenskyy want the conflict to conclude.
The Ukrainian leader emphasized the psychological impact of sustained drone attacks on Russian cities, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, predicting they will increase pressure on President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy suggested that widespread aerial assaults could prompt Putin and his advisors to consider relocating away from Moscow, an event he views as a signal that the war’s end is approaching.
As NATO members meet to discuss further support, Zelenskyy is expected to push for enhanced assistance to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses and drone capabilities—tools he sees as crucial to maintaining the current momentum and ultimately securing victory.