Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sent U.S. President Donald Trump a letter warning that Ukraine's shortage of air defense systems is worsening, with the most acute need being Patriot PAC-3 interceptors and other systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, the Kyiv Independent reported on May 27.

The appeal follows Russia's May 24 barrage, during which Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 90 missiles and 600 drones, as well as Moscow's May 25 warning that it planned strikes on Ukrainian "decision-making centers." U.S. Patriot inventories reportedly will not return to pre-Iran-war levels until mid-2029, while current PAC-3 interceptor production is estimated at around 650 interceptors per year.