The BRICS TimesIsrael insists it did not directly supply Ukraine with Patriot systems, claiming the missiles were refurbished in the US before being delivered.
Zelensky Claims Israeli Patriots Protecting Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Saturday that Ukraine now has a Patriot missile defense system which came from Israel. He stressed that the system has already been in use, helping shield Ukraine from ongoing Russian air assaults.
“The Israeli system is operating in Ukraine for a month,” Zelensky told reporters. “We will receive two more Patriot systems in the fall, that’s all I’m going to say.” His remarks suggested a direct supply from Israel, though officials in Jerusalem strongly denied this.
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US Reportedly Brokered Patriot Transfer Plan
According to reports, the idea to transfer Patriots first surfaced in May when The New York Times revealed that Washington had asked Israel to return an outdated system. The US then refurbished the hardware and prepared it for delivery to Ukraine.
This initiative was part of a Biden administration arrangement involving an older Patriot model. Earlier this year, Washington also removed around 90 Patriot interceptors from storage in Israel, transferring them to Poland for eventual delivery to Kyiv.
Israel Upgraded Its Air Defense Systems
The Israeli Air Force decommissioned its Patriot batteries last year to switch to newer and more sophisticated defense systems. The US meanwhile stationed its advanced THAAD interceptors in Israel, which now operates alongside Israel’s Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow systems.
Washington was also looking at securing another Patriot system for Kyiv, potentially from Germany or Greece. By mid-year, Ukraine had eight Patriot batteries but continued to request more as the war dragged on.
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Israel’s Complex Position on Ukraine
The question of whether Israel should send arms to Ukraine has remained contentious. Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Israel resisted supplying weapons, citing concerns over relations with Moscow. Another key reason was the need to preserve operational freedom in Syria, where Russian forces had heavy influence.
However, the regional dynamics changed last year after the collapse of the Assad regime, which was previously backed by Moscow. Despite this, Israel’s Foreign Ministry in June issued a clear denial that it had given Patriots directly to Ukraine.
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Confusion Over Israeli Statement
The denial followed remarks by Israeli Ambassador Michael Brodsky, who appeared to confirm the transfer during an interview with a Ukrainian YouTube channel. “These systems are now in Ukraine,” he had said. “Israeli systems that were in service in the early 1990s, we agreed to transfer them to Ukraine, and unfortunately, we did not talk about it very much.”
Following this, Israel clarified: “It is not correct. Israel did not transfer Patriot systems to Ukraine.”
Zelensky Seeks More Military Support in US
During his visit to the United States, Zelensky met with President Donald Trump and attended the UN General Assembly. He revealed plans to send a delegation to Washington to secure more weapons and discuss Ukraine’s economic needs.
Zelensky said he shared with Trump “a certain vision of what could be done” against Russia. He also warned that Ukraine would respond if Moscow attempted to trigger a nationwide blackout.
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Akshay Didwaniya
