President Zelensky emphasizes that Ukraine is among the few countries capable of developing such advanced weaponry, while also introducing a new military holiday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Wednesday that his country is actively developing its own anti-ballistic defense system named FREYJA, emphasizing that this is an endeavor achieved by only a small minority of the world's nations. He made this statement following a meeting with top officials dedicated to the development of ballistic capabilities and the implementation of the FREYJA program.
"Developing our own ballistic defense system is a task that only a few countries in the world have successfully accomplished. Ukraine has that capability. We have the necessary scientific base and expertise. We can confidently say that our weapons manufacturers have already reached the required level," Zelensky wrote on social media.
The FREYJA project was unveiled in May 2026 as an alternative to the American Patriot air defense system, after it became clear that the United States would not grant Ukraine a license to produce Patriots on its territory. Instead, the government in Kyiv turned to its own production capacities and intensified work on a domestic solution.
The President emphasized that he expects Ukraine to "achieve the necessary results in the period 2026-2027." In addition to the FREYJA system, the meeting also discussed cooperation with partners on PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles. "I expect results from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense in their communication with partners who have already been identified and mentioned on numerous occasions," Zelensky stated.
Zelensky expanded the project's context to European security. "FREYJA is progressing, and that is important. Europe needs a joint and truly significant capability to effectively defend against any ballistic threats. We support and expect more of our partner countries capable of contributing to join the Anti-Ballistic Coalition," he added.
On the same day, August 6, 2026, Zelensky also established by decree the Day of the Signal and Cybersecurity Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This holiday will be celebrated annually on August 8. As stated, he did so "in honor of the soldiers who ensure communication and cybersecurity for the Ukrainian military." This decree simultaneously repealed the earlier decree from 2000 regarding the Day of the Signal Troops.
