KYIV, June 2, 2026 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump for additional Patriot missile systems following one of Russia’s largest aerial assaults in recent months, which left at least 18 people dead and dozens injured across Ukraine.
In a statement posted on social media Tuesday, Zelensky described the attack as a clear signal of Russia’s intentions and warned that such strikes would continue unless Ukraine receives stronger protection against ballistic and other advanced missiles.
“This was a major attack and a clear declaration by Russia,” Zelensky said. “If Ukraine is not protected from ballistic and other missile strikes, these attacks will continue. Europe needs its own anti-ballistic missile capabilities, and U.S. support through systems such as Patriot remains essential.”
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 73 missiles and 656 drones overnight. Among them were eight high-speed Zircon missiles. The main targets included the capital Kyiv, the central regions of Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia, and the eastern regions of Poltava and Kharkiv.
Zelensky has repeatedly warned that Ukraine’s stockpile of U.S.-supplied Patriot interceptor missiles is running low. The Patriot system remains Ukraine’s most effective defense against high-speed ballistic missile attacks.
Although Ukrainian air defenses reportedly intercepted nearly half of the incoming missiles, more than 30 missiles struck civilian targets, causing significant casualties and damage.
Last week, Zelensky sent letters directly to the White House and members of Congress, urging additional military assistance. He described Patriot missiles as a critical tool for saving civilian lives.
So far, however, the Trump administration has not publicly responded to the request. The issue comes amid growing concerns over U.S. missile inventories, particularly after hundreds of costly Patriot interceptors were reportedly used during the recent conflict involving Iran and Israel.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the latest attacks demonstrate that Russian President Vladimir Putin is running out of options. In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified long-range drone strikes against Russian oil refineries, ports, and key transportation routes connecting occupied southern Ukraine with Crimea.
The latest escalation highlights the continuing intensity of the Russia-Ukraine war and Kyiv’s increasing reliance on Western air defense systems to protect its population and critical infrastructure.
