Ukraine Appeals to the US and Middle East for THAAD Systems to Counter Russian Bombing Threat

Ukraine is actively preparing to make a formal request for the supply of modern Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems from the United States and partners in the Middle East. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted that these systems could significantly diminish the threat posed by Russian guided bombs. He made this statement during a closed meeting with journalists on Thursday.

Zelensky stressed that Kyiv is currently finalizing an updated proposal regarding security guarantees while simultaneously seeking access to modern air defense systems that are currently unavailable in Europe. "Ukraine must clearly understand its security guarantees. Everything must be outlined in a way that Ukrainians can comprehend," he said, adding that Kyiv will soon submit its revised framework proposal to Washington.

One of the key issues, according to the president, is determining how the United States will respond in the event of renewed aggression from Russia. Ukraine is also planning to support its armed forces, which number around 800,000 military personnel, although questions remain regarding the funding of such an army beyond the state budget.

Zelensky singled out the THAAD system, developed in the United States, as a potential "game changer" in the fight against the widespread use of guided bombs (KAB) by Russia. These bombs are modernized Soviet-era "dumb" bombs that have been equipped with wings and satellite navigation modules, allowing them to glide over long distances after being dropped from aircraft.

Typically, Russian planes drop these bombs from dozens of kilometers away, often beyond the reach of most Ukrainian air defense systems. This situation raises serious concerns in Ukraine, as the ongoing war in Ukraine and the Middle East could lead to a shortage of critically important weaponry.

President Zelensky also warned that "the longer the war" in the Middle East continues, the "greater the threat" to Ukraine in terms of weapon shortages. This has prompted Kyiv to increase domestic production and diversify its supply chains. "After being launched, the bomb uses GPS or a similar guidance system to adjust its path and strike targets," he noted, emphasizing the importance of providing Ukraine with modern technologies to protect its territory.