Zelenskyy: US testing Ukrainian drones, feedback 'very positive'

Published Jul 10, 12:54 AM UTC

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the United States is testing Ukrainian-made aerial and maritime drones and has provided 'very positive feedback,' marking the first real movement in months on a stalled multibillion-dollar drone production deal. The announcement followed a US pledge to grant Ukraine a license to build its own Patriot interceptors, a critical need amid global shortages exacerbated by US-Israeli operations in Iran. Zelenskyy framed the two initiatives as separate but complementary tracks. The full drone deal, valued at $35-50 billion, would establish a 50-50 production venture involving up to 200 Ukrainian companies but remains unsigned pending Trump's approval. The developments come as Ukraine faces severe interceptor shortages, forcing rationing during attacks, while its domestic drone production has surged to over 100,000 units in 2025.