Ukraine seeks interceptors, strikes 13 facilities

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on August 5 that he had spoken with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about getting more interceptor missiles for Ukraine as Russia kept up large-scale air attacks. In a statement published by the Ukrainian presidency, Zelenskyy said the two discussed coordination with partner countries that have the missiles and the capacity to help. He said Ukraine needed political decisions and faster delivery to protect civilians and infrastructure. Ukraine’s military pressure on Russian-controlled infrastructure continued at the same time. An APA report, citing Ukrainian military statements, said Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces had struck 13 energy facilities in Russian-controlled territory over 48 hours. The report said Ukrainian officials referred to the operation as “Crimean Switch Off.” ### What did Zelenskyy say after the call with Rutte? (president.gov.ua) The Ukrainian presidency said Zelenskyy and Rutte discussed “work with partners to supply Ukraine with interceptor missiles” during a phone call on August 5. Zelenskyy said Ukraine was working “as hard as possible” with all partners able to help with interceptor supplies against what he called Russian strikes on people and civilian facilities. (en.apa.az) Reuters, in a report carried by APA, quoted Zelenskyy as saying it was “crucial” to remove bureaucracy and make the necessary political decisions. Ukrinform also reported that the two men coordinated further steps with partners to speed decisions on interceptor supplies. ### Why are interceptors the immediate issue? Russia’s recent attacks have kept pressure on Ukraine’s air-defense stocks. (president.gov.ua) The Ukrainian presidency said Zelenskyy discussed the situation created by Russia’s massive attacks and the need for countries with available missiles to help. A July meeting between Zelenskyy and Rutte in Brussels also focused on additional interceptors and missiles for Patriot systems, according to the Ukrainian presidency. (en.apa.az) The issue is not new, but the August 5 call showed Kyiv is still pressing allies for immediate resupply. Ukrinform said the discussion centered on strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses with interceptor missile deliveries. ### What were the 13 facilities Ukraine said it struck? APA reported that Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces said 13 energy facilities in Russian-controlled territory were hit over a 48-hour period. (president.gov.ua) The same report said the announcement followed other long-range Ukrainian strikes reported by the General Staff on August 5 against Russian military infrastructure, including drone command facilities, logistics crossings and supply depots in occupied territories and inside Russia. (ukrinform.net) Ukraine’s Defense Ministry has separately said unmanned systems now account for about 90% of strikes against enemy targets, underscoring how central drones have become to Kyiv’s campaign. In a July 2026 ministry statement, Ukraine said its unmanned units had carried out more than 1 million verified strikes since the start of the year. (en.apa.az) ### How do those two developments fit together? The August 5 updates showed Ukraine pursuing two tracks at once: asking partners for more defensive missiles while continuing long-range attacks on Russian-controlled assets. The Ukrainian presidency framed the Rutte call around protection from Russian strikes, while the military reporting highlighted continued pressure on energy and logistics targets. (mod.gov.ua) Ukraine has repeatedly argued that stronger air defense is needed to shield cities and infrastructure, even as its own drone campaign seeks to disrupt Russian military and energy networks. The official statements did not say that the strikes would reduce Ukraine’s need for interceptors; instead, both efforts were presented as running in parallel. ### What comes next in the near term? (president.gov.ua) The next step is further coordination with countries that hold the needed missiles and can release them, according to the Ukrainian presidency’s account of the Zelenskyy-Rutte call. On the military side, Ukraine’s General Staff and Defense Ministry have continued to publish daily and periodic updates on long-range strikes and battlefield losses, and those statements are likely to be the first official readout of any additional operations. (president.gov.ua)