---
title: "Zelenskyy: Ukraine to test first European anti-ballistic system this winter"
description: "Zelenskyy announced Ukraine's plans to test the first European anti-ballistic defense system this winter. The president also reported on the initial results of the FREYJA program."
date: 2026-11-11T10:55:45.820Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelenskyy-ukraine-test-european-antiballistic-system-winter
tags: [ukraine, anti-ballistic-missile-defense, zelensky, freyja-program, denmark, defense, europe]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Zelenskyy: Ukraine to test first European anti-ballistic system this winter

![President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a working meeting at a table](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/11/ukraina-test-antibalisticheskaya-zashchita-zima-2026/ukraina-test-antibalisticheskaya-zashchita-zima-2026-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Zelenskyy announced plans to test the first European anti-ballistic defense system in the winter of 2026–2027
- Ukraine has already conducted at least three tests of exoatmospheric ballistic missile intercept systems
- Verkhovna Rada subcommittee head Venislavskyi admitted that funding will be a major issue
- The FREYJA program already has results on individual elements, with testing planned by the end of 2026

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced the country's intention to test the first European anti-ballistic missile defense system during the winter period. The head of state made this statement during a meeting in Denmark, where cooperation with the Danish defense industry and European partners on new defense projects was discussed.

### Statement at the meeting in Denmark

"I hope that in the winter we will test the first European anti-ballistic defense system," Zelenskyy said, thanking the Danish defense industry and partners for their joint work on new projects. According to the president, Ukraine is focused on developing a counter-ballistic missile system, but the country cannot implement this project alone and relies on the support of its allies.

### Previous exoatmospheric system tests

As RBC-Ukraine recalls, Ukraine has already conducted at least three tests of exoatmospheric systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles in near space. This was previously reported by the British publication The Guardian. These tests have become an important stage in the development of Kyiv's national and European defense capabilities.

### Funding is a key problem

At the same time, Fedir Venislavskyi, head of the Verkhovna Rada subcommittee on state security, defense, and defense innovations, admitted that funding will be a significant issue for the program's implementation. Without a steady flow of funds, even with technical prototypes, bringing the system to combat readiness could prove difficult.

### The FREYJA program and initial results

Earlier, following a meeting with Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Sandvik, Zelenskyy spoke about the initial results in creating the European anti-ballistic program FREYJA. The president reported that there are already concrete achievements regarding individual elements of the system, and testing is planned to begin by the end of 2026. Thus, the winter tests discussed at the Danish meeting could become the first public confirmation of the performance of key FREYJA components.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Первую европейскую систему против баллистики опробуют зимой, - Зеленский](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/pershu-evropeysku-sistemu-proti-balistiki-1794392713.html) - Primary source. Contains a direct quote from Zelenskyy, mention of three tests, a reference to The Guardian, Venislavskyi's statement on funding, and information about the FREYJA program after a meeting with the Norwegian defense minister.

## FAQ

### When exactly does Ukraine plan to test the anti-ballistic system?

Zelenskyy stated that tests of the first European anti-ballistic defense system are expected in the winter. According to him, testing is planned to begin by the end of 2026.

### What is the FREYJA program?

FREYJA is a European anti-ballistic program in which Ukraine participates. According to Zelenskyy, there are already results regarding individual elements of the system.

### What problems hinder the implementation of the project?

Fedir Venislavskyi, head of the Verkhovna Rada defense subcommittee, pointed out that funding will be a significant problem. Zelenskyy also noted that Ukraine cannot implement the project on its own.

### How many tests has Ukraine already conducted?

According to RBC-Ukraine, Ukraine has already conducted at least three tests of exoatmospheric systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles in near space.