Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the US is diverting 20,000 missiles previously promised to Ukraine toward the Middle East, a move he warns will increase casualties as Russia intensifies its aerial attacks.

Speaking to ABC News, Zelenskyy stated that his defense minister informed him on 6 June that the US was reassigning anti-drone weapons meant for Ukraine. According to him, these assets—originally part of an agreement with the Biden administration—would now support US force protection efforts in the Middle East.

“We counted on [them] to defend against Russian attacks,” Zelenskyy told ABC. “Without the help of the United States, we will have more losses.”

The Ukrainian president said the diverted items were “not expensive, but [a] special technology” designed specifically to combat Shahed drones, which Russia now produces domestically in thousands after importing them from Iran.

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This development comes amid a significant escalation in Russian air attacks. Overnight on 9 June, Russia launched a record number of aerial weapons – a total of 479 drones and 20 missiles across Ukraine. The next day, Russia launched 315 more drones and seven missiles, targeting Kyiv and Odesa. 

Pentagon avoids confirming missile redirection

ABC News says the Pentagon declined to confirm whether the anti-drone systems intended for Ukraine were now being sent to the Middle East. However, a report by the Wall Street Journal last week revealed that the Pentagon had authorized the transfer of such technology. 

“The Pentagon quietly notified Congress last week that special fuzes for rockets that Ukraine uses to shoot down Russian drones are now being allocated to US Air Force units in the Middle East,” WSJ wrote on 4 June.