This request highlights Ukraine’s near-total dependence on Western allies to shoot down Russian missiles, despite Ukrainians having developed a long-range drone interception system envied by some of the world’s most advanced militaries.
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The request was made just days after one of the most devastating missile and drone attacks on Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine more than four years ago.
In a letter dated May 26 addressed to President Donald Trump, V. Zelensky asked the US to “help us secure this vital protection against Russian terror – Patriot PAC-3 missiles and additional systems – to stop Russian ballistic missiles and other Russian missile attacks.”
“When it comes to missile air defense, we rely on our friends,” the letter, seen by the Ukrainian portal Kyiv Independent, reads. “When it comes to ballistic missile defense, we almost exclusively rely on the US.”
An official familiar with the situation said that Ukraine’s ambassador to the US, Olha Stefanishyna, circulated this letter to the White House, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and other members of Congress.
In separate comments to AFP, a senior Ukrainian presidential official acknowledged that finding ammunition for the advanced air defense systems supplied by Western allies is challenging.
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“Right now, it is simply difficult to find missiles when there are so many other orders in the Persian Gulf (region) and other similar places,” the source said.
“Moreover, supply through PURL has also slowed,” the source added, referring to the system through which Ukraine’s allies in Europe can purchase weapons for Kyiv from the United States.
The war in the Middle East, during which US allies have used a large amount of air defense ammunition to protect facilities in the Persian Gulf region, has further increased the shortage Ukraine has faced since the start of the war.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s success in the drone war has attracted the attention of wealthy Persian Gulf states, which had become targets of the same types of Iranian drones.
