U.S. Lawmakers visiting Kyiv have urged Washington to provide Ukraine with more air-defence missiles as Russian drone and missile attacks continue to threaten cities and infrastructure. The appeal comes as Ukraine seeks enough interceptors to defend civilians, power systems and military sites.
Air defence has become one of the decisive needs of the war. Drones and missiles can hit deep behind the front line, forcing Ukraine to spend scarce interceptors on protecting energy grids, housing blocks, transport hubs and command facilities.
The visiting lawmakers said additional missiles are needed urgently. Their message is politically important because U.S. Support for Ukraine has repeatedly become a domestic debate in Washington, where military aid is measured against budget pressure, election politics and wider foreign policy priorities.
For Ukraine, the air-defence shortage is not abstract. Each successful Russian strike can damage power supply, disrupt rail movement, kill civilians and force emergency repairs. Even when missiles are intercepted, the cost of defence is high because many interceptors are expensive and difficult to replace quickly.
The request also comes as diplomatic efforts around the war remain uncertain. Ceasefire proposals, prisoner exchanges and pressure on Moscow have not ended the broader conflict. In that environment, Ukraine argues that stronger defence is necessary even while talks continue.
The next question is whether Congress and the White House can move quickly enough. If more missiles arrive, Ukraine can protect more cities and infrastructure. If supplies lag, Russia may keep using mass drone and missile attacks to wear down civilian resilience and military logistics.
