The Ukrainian Congressional Committee of America has urged the United States and Ukraine’s partners to urgently provide Patriot interceptor missiles, additional air defense systems, and ammunition to protect Ukrainian cities. The statement notes that Russia’s latest massive attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities come against a backdrop of an acute shortage of air defenses.
This was reported in a statement by the Ukrainian Congressional Committee of America dated August 20, 2026.
“The Ukrainian Congressional Committee of America calls on the United States and all of Ukraine’s partners to act urgently, as this moment demands it,” the statement said.
Russia reportedly launched another massive attack on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities last night. According to the UCCA, at least 16 people were killed in Kyiv and the region, and dozens were injured. A children's hospital, a school, a kindergarten, residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were also damaged.
In total, according to the organization, at least 25 deaths and 132 injuries were reported in Ukraine over the past 24 hours.
It was also noted that the attack occurred at a time when Ukraine is experiencing an acute shortage of interceptor missiles for air defense systems needed to destroy ballistic missiles. The UCCA emphasizes that Kyiv is forced to defend itself in conditions of depleted stocks of Patriot missiles, while Russia is increasing the number of ballistic missiles it launches at Ukraine.
“Every delay in replenishing stocks gives Russia another opportunity to strike Ukrainian cities, destroy civilian infrastructure and kill people in their homes,” the statement emphasizes.
The UCCA notes that the threat already extends beyond the borders of Ukraine. During the same wave of attacks, Russian drones, according to the organization, flew into the territory of Romania and Moldova, and Romania took F-16 fighter jets into the air after a naval drone carrying explosives approached an offshore natural gas production facility.
The organization believes that this is a consistent campaign of escalation, through which Russia is testing the resolve of the West and its readiness to defend its own territory and allies.
“Russia is attacking Ukrainian civilians, exploiting gaps in the Ukrainian air defense system and spreading the consequences of its war ever deeper into Europe,” the statement said.
The UCCA also called on the US House of Representatives to immediately adopt tough sanctions against Russia to limit the income and resources that support the Kremlin’s war machine.
According to the authors of the statement, the response must concern not only the missiles already flying at Ukrainian cities, but also the resources that allow Russia to produce new weapons.
“Every dollar that the Kremlin is deprived of makes it more difficult to finance the missiles, drones and other weapons with which Russia is destroying Ukrainian cities,” the UCCA emphasized.
The organization emphasized that statements of support for Ukraine must be backed up by weapons that save lives and economic pressure that limits Russia’s ability to produce new weapons of destruction.
“Ukraine knows what it needs. Its partners know what needs to be transferred,” the statement says.
The UCCA emphasized that every day of delay gives Russia another opportunity to turn residential buildings into ruins and families into victims of war.
“Ukraine urgently needs the means to stop these attacks and deny the Kremlin the ability to build the next missile before it lands on your doorstep,” the Ukrainian American Congressional Committee summarized.
Photo: VM collage
Author: Inna Mikhno