Russia Could Not Build Missiles Used in Kyiv Attack Without Western Components, Zelenskyy Says

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia used missiles manufactured in 2026 during a recent strike on Kyiv and claimed the weapons would not have been produced without foreign-made components supplied through international channels.

According to Zelenskyy’s evening address published on May 16, Ukraine is continuing efforts to tighten sanctions enforcement and disrupt supply chains used by Russia’s defense industry.

“We are actively working on the traditional sanctions track as well. The key thing is to cut off all supply channels to Russia for components used in the production of missiles and drones,” Zelenskyy said.

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According to Zelenskyy, Russian forces used missiles “manufactured this year” during the strike on Kyiv earlier this week. He stated that components originating from companies in Europe, Japan, and the United States remain essential for the production of Russian precision weapons.

“Without components from companies from Europe, Japan, the United States, the Russians simply would not have been able to make these missiles,” Zelenskyy said. “The same applies to most other means of destruction used by these manufacturers for strikes on our cities and ordinary residential buildings of Ukrainians.”

The Ukrainian president said Russia’s ability to continue obtaining foreign electronics and industrial components represents a broader security issue extending beyond Ukraine. According to Zelenskyy, Russia has previously projected military influence in Syria and African countries, while continued access to international supply chains could enable further military expansion.

“Right now the Russians are constrained in many ways here by our defense. But what will happen next? Where will the Russians go next?” Zelenskyy said. “Determination is needed to push this country so that it becomes safer for the world. Sanctions and all other forms of pressure are the best tool for this.”

The comments followed a large-scale Russian aerial attack against Kyiv earlier this week that caused damage to residential infrastructure in several districts of the capital. Ukrainian officials have increasingly focused on tracing the origin of foreign-made electronic components recovered from Russian missiles and drones used in strikes across Ukraine.

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