Zelenskyy Sends Urgent Letter to Trump Warning of Critical Air Defense Shortage in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sent a letter to Donald Trump warning that Ukraine’s air defense resources, particularly systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, are becoming critically depleted, the Kyiv Independent has learned.

According to the outlet on May 27, the message comes amid an escalation in Russian aerial assaults across Ukraine and renewed public threats from Moscow of further long-range attacks on Kyiv. Russian officials have also threatened strikes targeting what they described as Ukraine’s “decision-making centers.”

In the letter, reviewed by the Kyiv Independent, Kyiv emphasized its heavy dependence on international partners for missile defense support, especially on Washington for protection against ballistic threats.

“When it comes to air defense against missiles, we rely on our friends,” the letter reads. “When it comes to defending against ballistic missiles, we rely almost exclusively on the United States.”

Ukraine also warned in the letter that current delivery rates under the PURL program are no longer keeping pace with the scale of the threat facing the country.

Kyiv additionally proposed a long-term initiative to expand joint production of Patriot systems and missiles together with European allies under full US oversight.

The letter emphasized that ballistic missiles remain one of the most serious threats to Ukraine’s civilian population and critical infrastructure, underscoring the urgent need for additional interceptor missiles and air defense systems.

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“That is why I on behalf of Ukrainian people respectfully ask the President and the US Congress to remain engaged, to continue standing with Ukraine and with all those who defend life, 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 stated in the letter.

Officials in Ukraine are said to be increasingly worried that current supplies of Patriot interceptor missiles and other Western-provided air defense systems may prove insufficient against the scale of Russia’s ongoing bombardment campaign.

“It’s really tough when it comes to anti-ballistic defense,” a source familiar with the situation told the Kyiv Independent.

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Additionally, overnight on May 24, Russian forces launched one of the largest combined attacks of the war, firing 690 aerial weapons at Ukraine, including 90 missiles and 600 drones.

Kyiv was the primary target of the assault, which killed two people and injured at least 77 others, including two children. Thirty-one people remained hospitalized, three of them in serious condition, while 46 others received treatment at the scene or on an outpatient basis.

The attack caused damage at more than 40 locations across the capital.

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