Ukrainians have submitted similar letters in recent weeks, but a recent request to US lawmakers seems to reflect the growing demand for the US Stinger and Javelin anti-aircraft missiles – with Ukraine saying it urgently needs 500 of each, each day.
In both cases, according to a source familiar with both findings, Ukraine is asking for hundreds of missiles more than listed on a similar list recently provided to US lawmakers.
The new list comes as Ukrainians say they are facing potential weapons shortages in the wake of the ongoing Russian attack – prompting some backlash from US and NATO officials stressing that more military aid is already reaching the country.
By March 7, less than two weeks after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the US and other NATO members deployed approximately 17,000 anti-tank and 2,000 anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine.
Since then, NATO countries, including the United States, have maintained a flow of weapons and equipment, even though Russia has threatened to target the supplies.
In the past few days, Ukraine has received the latest $ 350 million security assistance, which was approved at the end of February, and two more packages totaling $ 1 billion have already started pouring in.
President Joe Biden said Thursday that “armored systems, ammunition and our weapons are flowing into Ukraine when I speak.” A defense representative said that delivering equipment to Eastern Europe prior to entering Ukraine at multiple land border crossing points would require “multiple flights over many days”.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the United Kingdom announced it would send 6,000 additional missiles to Ukraine, including anti-tank and high-explosive weapons, along with approximately $ 33 million in financial support to the Ukrainian military.
The list provided to CNN details several other pressing needs, including: jets, attack helicopters, and anti-aircraft systems such as the S-300.
The document lists two types of Russian-made jets, one of which is intended for close air support to land forces. According to the list provided to CNN, Ukraine asked for 36 each plane.
Some lawmakers in Congress believe the United States should provide Ukraine with the weapons it wants as soon as possible.
Senator Jacky Rosen, a Nevada Democrat, visited Poland and Germany last weekend to meet with civil society organizations helping Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in these countries and with US troops stationed abroad to assist humanitarian efforts.
Rosen said her greatest departure from the trip was the “sense of urgency” on earth.
“They need all the tools to not only survive the war, but also win the war, so whether we provide them with air-to-ground missiles, drones, all military support,” Rosen told CNN.
CNN’s Ellie Kaufman contributed to this report.