Zelensky Seeks 600-Plus Drones and Missiles, Expands Drone Deal With Baltic-Nordic Allies
Updated
Updated · Ukrinform · Jun 9
Zelensky Seeks 600-Plus Drones and Missiles, Expands Drone Deal With Baltic-Nordic Allies
3 articles · Updated · Ukrinform · Jun 9
Summary
Russia fires about 650 drones and 35-100 missiles at Ukraine daily, Zelensky said, arguing Kyiv needs more than 600 drones and missiles to mount a competitive response.
Ukraine now uses roughly 300-350 drones and missiles in return strikes; Zelensky said higher funding would let Kyiv scale up and make Russia "feel this war" at home.
The proposed Drone Deal would go beyond sales to include expertise transfers, rapid-response procedures and specialist training, with Ukraine ready to send expert teams to at-risk countries.
Zelensky said Russia is already using electronic warfare to divert drones and could deploy similar tools to destabilize Finland and the Baltic states while spreading false narratives about Ukrainian attacks.
The push comes after Ukraine and Latvia signed a drone cooperation deal in Tallinn, as Zelensky also urged tougher sanctions on Russia at the Ukraine-NB8 summit in Estonia.
Can Ukraine’s drone diplomacy forge a European alliance strong enough to force Russia to the negotiating table?
Is Ukraine becoming Europe's new security provider, or just exposing the continent's deep military vulnerabilities?
Forging Europe’s Drone Shield: Latvia-Ukraine Partnership and the 2026 Battle for Regional Security
Overview
On June 9, 2026, President Zelenskiy of Ukraine met with Nordic and Baltic leaders in Tallinn, leading to a major agreement for joint drone production with Ukrainian companies. This partnership reflects Ukraine’s strategic vision to build a strong European drone coalition, aiming to protect every region of Europe against Russian threats. Latvia’s involvement means it gains advanced defense capabilities by working closely with Ukraine and other European partners. The alliance not only strengthens regional security but also encourages deeper integration and innovation in European defense, making it harder for adversaries to exploit weaknesses and ensuring a more resilient response to evolving threats.