In brief

• Zelensky hopes Ukraine can test the Freyja anti-ballistic system this winter, which he says would be the first of its kind in Europe.
• He argues Ukraine cannot build the system alone and relies on Danish industry and other partners.
• Denmark announced a military aid package of 4.8 billion Danish kroner, about 643 million euros.

Winter test target

Zelensky said Kyiv hopes to begin initial trials of the Freyja system this winter and to obtain first results from them (Freyja anti-ballistic missile system may begin trials this winter – Zelensky – Ukrinform) (Україна готується тестувати європейську альтернативу Patriot: Зеленський назвав терміни випробування "Фреї" – Espreso). He said Ukraine cannot carry out the project on its own and is counting on Danish industry and other partners (Україна вже цієї зими може випробувати першу європейську систему захисту від балістики – Європейська правда). Ukrainian outlets reported that the first tests could begin before the end of December 2026 (Захистить від балістики: Зеленський розкрив, коли в Україні випробують систему Freyja – TSN).

Why Europe needs its own system

Zelensky argued that the project matters for Ukraine and for the whole continent, pointing to a worldwide shortage of anti-ballistic interceptors. He said the United States does not produce enough interceptor missiles for Patriot systems even for its own needs and for Middle Eastern countries. Europe also faces shortages of such systems and munitions, and their cost has risen several times over because of wars elsewhere, he said.

Zelensky noted that France is working on an anti-ballistic modification of the SAMP/T system, but in his view Europe still lacks an effective anti-ballistic system that is also affordable. He added that Ukraine's wartime experience helps define how such a system should work.

Danish support

Copenhagen also plans 150 million kroner, or 20 million euros, in emergency grant support for Ukraine's energy sector. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that under the Freyja programme Denmark may provide radar systems.

What comes next

Zelensky said new European companies continue to join the project. Whether the winter trial takes place on schedule will depend on the pace of development with partners; no public timetable beyond the president's stated hope has been given (Випробування антибалістичної cиcтеми "Фрея": Зеленський сказав, коли вони почнуться – UNIAN).