Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has formally requested additional Patriot air defence munitions from the United States, according to a letter reviewed by AFP on Wednesday. The appeal, dated 26 May and addressed to President Donald Trump, asks for PAC-3 missiles and extra systems to counter Russian ballistic missile attacks.
Dmytro Lytvyn, an adviser to Zelenskyy, confirmed in a WhatsApp exchange with journalists that the letter was sent to both the president and the US Congress. The request underscores Ukraine's near-total reliance on Western allies for air defence, even as Kyiv has developed innovative drone interception techniques that have drawn interest from Gulf states.
The plea follows one of the most severe combined missile and drone assaults on Kyiv since Russia's full-scale invasion began over four years ago. The attack, which occurred over the weekend, killed four people and caused widespread damage across the Ukrainian capital. Among the weapons used was Russia's Oreshnik hypersonic missile, capable of travelling ten times the speed of sound and carrying nuclear warheads, according to Moscow.
Global Demand Strains Supply
A senior Ukrainian presidency official, speaking anonymously to AFP, described the challenge of sourcing ammunition for advanced air defence systems as "complicated." The official noted that finding missiles is difficult "when there are so many other orders in the Gulf and other places like that." The Iran war has seen US allies expend vast quantities of air defence ammunition protecting sites in the region, exacerbating a shortage Ukraine has faced since the conflict began.
The official also pointed to delays in the PURL system, a mechanism allowing Ukraine's European allies to purchase weapons from the United States on Kyiv's behalf. "The supplies through PURL have slowed down as well," the source added.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's success in countering Iranian-designed drones has attracted attention from wealthy Gulf states that face similar threats. This expertise, however, does little to alleviate the pressing need for Patriot interceptors, which are essential for downing Russian ballistic missiles.
Diplomatic Context
The letter to Trump comes as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated Washington's readiness to mediate an end to the war. Speaking during an official visit to India, Rubio said, "Every time you see these big strikes from one side or the other, it's a reminder of why this is a terrible war that's now gone on longer than the Second World War, and it needs to come to an end." His comments followed a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and a weekend barrage that included two Oreshnik hypersonic missiles, according to reports.
Russia has threatened new strikes on Kyiv, including on "decision-making centres," and called for foreign diplomats to leave the capital. This escalation marks a fresh phase in the conflict, which has already seen devastating attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and civilian areas.
Zelenskyy's appeal highlights the broader strain on global defence supplies, as European nations and the US balance commitments to Ukraine with other security priorities. The situation underscores the interconnected nature of modern conflicts, where shortages in one theatre can ripple across continents.
