Zelenskyy warns Trump of critical Patriot missile shortage amid Russian attacks
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump (president.gov.ua)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sent a letter to US President Donald Trump warning of a critical shortage of air defense systems, according to The Kyiv Independent and comments from Ukrainian presidential adviser Dmytro Lytvyn.
Dmytro Lytvyn confirmed the information in comments to journalists. According to him, the letter was addressed to both Donald Trump and the US Congress.
Zelenskyy’s appeal comes amid intensified large-scale Russian attacks on Ukraine and public Kremlin threats of new strikes on Kyiv.
“When it comes to air defense against missiles, we rely on our friends. When it comes to defending against ballistic missiles, we rely almost exclusively on the United States,” the letter says.
The Ukrainian leader stressed that current delivery rates under the PURL program no longer match the scale of the threat facing the country. He asked for assistance in protecting Ukraine’s airspace from Russian missile attacks.
“I, on behalf of the Ukrainian people, respectfully ask the president and the US Congress to remain engaged. And to help us secure this vital tool of protection against Russian terror — Patriot missiles PAC-3 and additional systems — to stop Russian ballistic missiles and other Russian missile attacks,” Zelenskyy wrote.
Recently, Fire Point co-founder Denys Shtilerman said that Ukraine could test a new air defense system by the end of this year that is being described as a cheaper alternative to Patriot.
RBC-Ukraine also reported that guaranteeing a 100% interception rate against combined missile and drone attacks is currently impossible. Weather conditions remain one of the factors Russia takes into account when planning strikes.
