Amid escalating Russian missile strikes on Kyiv, two US congressmen pressed the administration to fulfill Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s urgent request for more air defense missile systems. Zelenskiy recently appealed directly to President Donald Trump and Congress for additional Patriot systems and interceptors, which remain Ukraine’s primary defense against ballistic missile attacks.
The request follows a sharp increase in Russian bombardments targeting Ukraine’s capital. Most recently, Russia launched dozens of ballistic missiles, with Ukraine’s air force managing to intercept only a fraction. Moscow has further signaled intentions of systematic strikes against Kyiv, even advising foreign diplomats and nationals to evacuate the city.
After meeting Zelenskiy in Kyiv, Senator Richard Blumenthal emphasized the United States’ history of responding to Ukrainian demands for military aid and expressed hope for a continued and enhanced commitment. Together with Representative Jim Himes, Blumenthal vowed to advocate for increased shipments of air defense interceptors and tougher sanctions on Russia once back in Washington.
Ukraine has been acquiring Patriot missiles under NATO’s Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a program funded by European allies. However, Zelenskiy warned in his letter that the current delivery pace does not match the escalating missile threat, calling for an urgent scaling up of support.
In Washington, Himes acknowledged challenges in reallocating military resources, pointing out that ongoing US engagements, particularly the war on Iran, have strained supplies needed to defend Ukraine. He called for a swift resolution to reduce pressure on defense assets, underscoring that material now deployed in other theaters is vital for Ukraine's defense efforts.