Former NATO official Herlinde Niehus said Ukraine retains the initiative on several fronts but remains vulnerable to Russian ballistic missile strikes. Speaking on TVP World, the former deputy director for defense and security cooperation at NATO stated that ballistic missiles represent the primary gap in Ukraine's defense capabilities.
Niehus said the shortage of modern air defense interceptors was identified during the first months of Russia's full-scale invasion but was never properly addressed. She recalled NATO discussing the issue from the start of the war and called its persistence a frustrating, chronic problem. She added that Western allies acted too cautiously throughout the conflict, losing time by supplying only enough for Ukraine to survive rather than win, and urged partners to provide everything needed for Ukraine to win on its own terms.
Doubts over United States Missile Support
Niehus expressed doubts regarding United States promises to help Ukraine produce Patriot interceptor missiles. Her comments followed indications that President Donald Trump backed away from earlier statements hinting Kyiv could receive a manufacturing license. She said this situation further confirms that Trump cannot be trusted, noting opinions that the United States is misleading Ukraine and playing a dirty game.
Although Trump stated negotiations are ongoing, TVP World reported that Niehus warned a production license would not offer a short-term solution for Kyiv's immediate needs. She said the Trump administration remains reluctant to take actions that could displease Russian President Vladimir Putin due to a desire for a broader reset of relations with Moscow. In her view, the administration still views Ukraine as an obstacle to that reset.
Domestic Ballistic Programs and Combat Claims
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously announced that Ukraine aims to develop its own ballistic missiles and anti-ballistic countermeasures during 2026 and 2027, according to UNIAN. Zelenskyy said a meeting on preparing domestic ballistics and executing tasks under the FREYJA anti-ballistic program set a schedule and assigned responsible officials to accelerate key components. He noted the meeting also covered technological cooperation with partners and production localization.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed its air defenses shot down a long-range operational-tactical missile, seven guided bombs, and 602 plane-type drones. The Russian ministry provided no details or missile names, but Bloomberg noted the claim coincided with hints that Ukraine had used a home-grown ballistic missile in combat for the first time. Ukraine has not publicly confirmed any such operational use. Ukrainian defense company Fire Point recently announced that its FP-9 ballistic missile was approaching flight testing.
