Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sent a critical letter to US President-elect Donald Trump and members of Congress, sounding an alarm over Russia’s employment of the ‘Oreshnik’ medium-range ballistic missile. The full text of this urgent correspondence was made public by journalist Barak Ravid on X, highlighting Kyiv’s active efforts to secure advanced air defense systems amidst an escalating missile campaign. The appeal serves as both a strategic warning and a plea for immediate operational support to counter Moscow’s latest technological escalations.
In the letter, Zelenskyy outlined the terrifying scale of a recent massive strike, during which Russia deployed an overwhelming array of weaponry. The attack involved 54 cruise missiles, 30 ballistic missiles, three Zircon hypersonic missiles, and two Kinzhal aero-ballistic missiles. Most notably, Russia launched two ‘Oreshnik’ medium-range ballistic missiles. According to military intelligence, while one struck the Kyiv region, the second reportedly malfunctioned and crashed in the Russian-occupied territory of the Donetsk region. Additionally, Russia utilized approximately 600 strike drones, similar to those deployed by Iran in the Persian Gulf.
Zelenskyy framed these developments not merely as a regional conflict, but as a global security challenge. He argued that the combat testing of the ‘Oreshnik’ and the massive integration of Iranian-designed drone technology represent a crucial lesson for the entire Euro-Atlantic community. US allies worldwide could soon face comparable threats from Russia’s proxies and strategic partners if these actions go unanswered.
A key focus of Zelenskyy’s message is the acute deficit of air defense capabilities. He openly admitted that Ukraine currently relies ‘almost exclusively on the United States’ to intercept complex ballistic targets. Without sustained and expanded American military assistance, defending civilian infrastructure and key strategic assets against these advanced Russian vectors remains an nearly impossible task.
This diplomatic move targets the pragmatic instincts of the incoming Trump administration. By illustrating how closely linked Russian aggression is to broader global threats, including Middle Eastern proxy wars, Zelenskyy seeks to build a solid business case for continued US military aid. Ultimately, the letter emphasizes that strengthening Ukraine’s skies is a necessary step to secure Western democratic alliances against an increasingly aggressive autocratic bloc.