Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent a letter to Donald Trump and the US Congress. He requests more ammunition for air defense systems manufactured in that country, given the increase in Russian attacks with ballistic missiles, kyiv reported on Wednesday.
Zelenskyy wants more Patriot systems. In the letter, obtained by the Associated Press, he warns that deliveries are falling short because the war with Iran diverts US reserves. Ukraine intercepts more than 90% of enemy drones, but does not produce its own anti-missile systems and depends “almost exclusively on the United States.”
“For us — a nation fighting for its survival — there is hardly anything more painful than seeing Patriot batteries without missiles,” he wrote. Washington had no immediate comment.
Meanwhile, in Russia, the lower house of parliament approved a plan to have bank employees shoot down Ukrainian drones. Banks would place electronic jamming systems in their branches and train selected staff. Since there are banks in almost every city, this could expand Russian air defense coverage.
The project must still be approved by the Senate and signed by Vladimir Putin. Analysts point out that it reflects problems in Russian military defenses against drones. Thomas Withington, of the Royal United Services Institute, said: “It seems to indicate that military defense capabilities against drones in Russia are failing.”
Under the law, employees will be able to jam drone signals and destroy unmanned vehicles that threaten their facilities, without waiting for the security services. Each organization will decide which workers will be authorized.
On Wednesday, British GCHQ intelligence chief Anne Keast-Butler said that Putin is “retreating on the battlefield” and that almost half a million Russian soldiers have died since the start of the conflict.
