Zelenskyy says Ukraine could surpass Russia in high-tech weapons production

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday said the country had reached a level of technological weapons production that could eventually surpass Russia's capabilities, as Kyiv seeks to expand domestic defence manufacturing.

Zelenskyy said a government meeting earlier the day had focused on boosting Ukraine's defence industry, with officials holding talks with domestic arms manufacturers to discuss funding and administrative measures needed to increase production capacity.

The President said the priority areas include the production of drones, ground robotic systems, missile technology, electronic warfare systems and other military equipment.

"This primarily concerns all types of Ukrainian drones, ground robotic systems, the missile programme, electronic warfare capabilities and military equipment," Zelenskyy said.

He added that expanding domestic weapons production would deprive Russia of the ability to prolong the war against Ukraine by increasing pressure on Moscow and weakening its forces on the battlefield.

Zelenskyy also thanked Ukrainian engineers and defence specialists involved in the country's missile programme, particularly those working on the development of domestic ballistic and anti-ballistic systems.