According to the Kyiv Independent newspaper on May 27, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sent a letter to US President Donald Trump warning about the serious shortage of Ukrainian air defense systems, particularly in ballistic missile interception capabilities.
The letter was sent amid Russia's declaration that last week's Ukrainian attack on a university dormitory in the town of Starobelsk was "the last straw," and its warning that Moscow would carry out "systematic attacks" on multiple targets across the capital Kyiv.
"When it comes to anti-missile defense, we rely on our partners. But when it comes to ballistic missile interception capabilities, we are almost entirely dependent on the United States," the letter stated.
Ukrainian officials are concerned that their reserves of Patriot interceptor missiles and other Western-supplied air defense systems are struggling to withstand the increasingly intense Russian airstrikes.
"Things are really difficult for ballistic missile defense capabilities," a source familiar with the matter told Kyiv Independent.
According to this source, Ukraine's ambassador to the US, Olha Stefanishyna, delivered the letter to the White House, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and several members of the US Congress .
The letter also reflects Kyiv's growing concern about access to weapons through the PURL program – a mechanism that allows NATO allies to finance the purchase of US weapons for Ukraine.
"The current pace of delivery under the PURL program is no longer keeping up with the reality of the threat we are facing," Zelensky wrote. "I look forward to receiving assistance to protect the Ukrainian skies from Russian missiles."
“On behalf of the Ukrainian people, I respectfully request that the President and Congress of the United States continue to stand with us,” the letter stated. “Help us acquire this vital defensive tool – the Patriot PAC-3 missile and its complements – to counter Russian ballistic missiles and other missile attacks.”
In mid-April, President Zelensky instructed Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk to urgently contact partner countries that had pledged to provide Patriot and other air defense systems, amid a continued decline in Ukraine's interceptor missile stockpile.
On May 25, the Ukrainian Air Force announced that Russia had launched 90 missiles and 600 drones in a large-scale attack on the night of May 24.
On the same day, Moscow claimed that the attack was in retaliation for a Ukrainian drone strike on a university dormitory in Starobelsk, in the Lugansk region – territory annexed by Russia.
According to RT, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared on May 25 that Ukraine's attack on the school dormitory was "the last straw" for Russia.
“This is the last straw. Under these circumstances, the Russian armed forces will carry out systematic attacks on the Ukrainian military- industrial complex in Kyiv, including sites for the design, production, programming, and preparation of drones used by the Kyiv authorities with the support of NATO specialists responsible for supplying components, providing intelligence, and guidance,” the Russian Foreign Ministry warned. The attacks will also target “decision-making centers and command centers” in Ukraine.
Moscow says the attack in Starobelsk killed at least 21 people in the dormitory, mostly female students.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also called on foreign citizens, including diplomats and representatives of international organizations, to leave the Ukrainian capital. Moscow also warned Kyiv residents to stay away from "military and administrative facilities of President Zelensky's administration."
Source: https://znews.vn/ong-zelensky-gui-thu-khan-cho-tong-thong-trump-post1654840.html
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