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Two U.S. lawmakers voiced strong support for Ukraine’s request for additional air defense systems after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged Washington to help protect Kyiv from escalating Russian missile strikes. The appeal comes as Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine’s capital and warns of further bombardments targeting key locations in the city.
During a visit to Kyiv, Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Jim Himes said the United States should respond positively to Zelenskiy’s request for more Patriot missile systems and interceptor missiles. Patriot systems are currently considered the most effective defense against Russia’s ballistic missile attacks and remain a critical part of Ukraine’s air defense network.
Zelenskiy recently sent letters to U.S. President Donald Trump and members of Congress asking for urgent military assistance. In the message, the Ukrainian president emphasized that deliveries of interceptor missiles through NATO’s Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative are not arriving fast enough to match the growing scale of Russian attacks.
Russia warned diplomats and foreign nationals earlier this week to leave Kyiv ahead of what it described as “systematic strikes” on targets in the Ukrainian capital. Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 30 ballistic missiles during a major attack on Sunday, with only 11 successfully intercepted.
Blumenthal stated that the United States has repeatedly responded to Ukraine’s defense requests in the past and should continue doing so. He also pledged to push for tougher sanctions against Russia upon returning to Washington.
Representative Jim Himes noted that ongoing tensions in the Middle East, particularly the U.S. conflict involving Iran, have complicated discussions around military aid to Ukraine. According to Himes, military resources currently being used in the Persian Gulf are urgently needed both for U.S. defense priorities and Ukraine’s protection against Russian aggression.
The renewed calls for Patriot missile support highlight growing international concern over Russia’s intensified campaign against Ukraine and Kyiv’s urgent need for stronger air defense capabilities in 2026.
