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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers an address after receiving the International Four Freedoms Award from the Roosevelt Foundation in Middelburg, the Netherlands, on April 16 (local time). / Photo via AFP-Yonhap News

Ukraine has urgently requested additional air defense systems from the United States to counter Russia's ongoing ballistic missile strikes, Reuters reported on May 27 (local time).

According to letters sent by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to US President Donald Trump and the US Congress, which were obtained by Reuters, Zelenskyy pleaded for the immediate delivery of air defense assets, specifically including Patriot (PAC-3) missiles.

"Protecting Ukraine from Russian ballistic missiles is paramount for peace negotiations," Zelenskyy stated in the letters. "The United States must hear our voice. The current realities demand swift and decisive action."

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia unleashed a massive barrage on Ukraine on May 24, deploying 30 ballistic missiles in a single assault.

Zelenskyy also disclosed that Russian forces launched two Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missiles, which are inherently capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Currently, the US-made Patriot air defense system and its interceptor missiles stand as Ukraine's sole capable mechanism to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles.

While Ukraine has been procuring Patriot interceptors through NATO's dedicated arms supply procurement initiative, the Priority Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), the prolonged conflict against Russia has left the nation grappling with severe interceptor ammunition shortages.

"The current pace of supplies delivered via the PURL program fails to match the scope of the threats we face," Zelenskyy emphasized. "There is nothing more painful than looking at a Patriot battery left sitting without missiles."

Meanwhile, peace negotiations remain deadlocked as the war between Russia and Ukraine crosses its four-year mark.

In response to the gridlock, Ukraine has intensified its targeting of Russian oil infrastructure utilizing domestically manufactured drones, while Russia has concurrently ramped up its missile strikes and long-range drone campaigns.

                                                                                                              Park Jin-suk