This year, Ukraine wants to set record for number of drones for AFU to stop enemy's advance – Zelenskyy

This year, Ukraine wants to set a record for the number of drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, this will allow it to stop the enemy's advance.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this during his participation in the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format in Germany, the Ukrainian News agency reports.

"Drones are something that has already changed the nature of war and today there is a direct dependence (on them) to stop the enemy's advance, the loss of people and territories. Drones are needed for this. Drones deter the enemy, they keep him at a distance. It can be done. Drone production in Ukraine is more cost-effective than anywhere else. This year, we in Ukraine want to set a record in the quantity and quality of drones that we produce and receive from our partners and focus on drones that our brigades need to hold the front lines, and on drones that are needed to ensure security, such as naval drones, drones for long-range strikes on military facilities and infrastructure on enemy territory," he said.

Zelenskyy called on the group's participants and partners to become more active in increasing Ukraine's drone arsenal. He stressed that Ukrainians have the greatest experience in Europe in using drones and the greatest capabilities in Europe to produce them.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, in December, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that over 96% of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) supplied to the Ukrainian Defense Forces are manufactured by Ukrainian companies. He added that over 1.2 million UAVs have been purchased through the Army of Drones project.

On November 19, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while presenting the Internal Resilience Plan of Ukraine to the Verkhovna Rada, announced that he had ordered the production of at least 30,000 long-range drones and at least 3,000 cruise missiles and drone missiles in 2025.