'Israel' confirms Patriot missile transfer to Ukraine
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"Israel" confirms sending Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, marking a policy shift and aligning more visibly with Western allies in the war against Russia.
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The Ukrainian Air Force's F-16 fighter jets fly over a Patriot Air and Missile Defense System in an undisclosed location in Ukraine, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024. (AP)
For the first time, "Israel" has publicly confirmed the transfer of weapons systems to Ukraine, marking a significant shift in its political stance and military policy amid the ongoing war with Russia.
In an interview with Ukraine’s Ukrinform news agency, Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine, Michael Brodsky, revealed that "Israel" has supplied Ukraine with Patriot air defense systems. These systems were originally received from the United States in the 1990s and had been deployed by the Israeli occupation forces since the First Gulf War.
“These systems are in Ukraine today,” Brodsky stated. “Contrary to what has been said, Israel did also assist in the military field.”
His remarks mark a clear departure from "Israel’s" longstanding policy of non-disclosure regarding its military involvement in Ukraine, a stance largely maintained due to strategic considerations involving Russia.
US transfers 90 Patriot missiles from 'Israel' to Ukraine
In January, Axios reported that the US military has transferred approximately 90 Patriot air defense interceptors from storage in "Israel" to Poland, with the aim of delivering them to Ukraine.
The Patriot systems were originally provided to "Israel" during the Gulf War but became less relevant as the country developed its own advanced air defense systems. In April 2023, the Israeli Air Force officially decommissioned the Patriot batteries, leaving most in storage or used for training.
Following the decommissioning, Ukrainian officials approached both the US and "Israel" with a proposal to return the unused interceptors to the US for refurbishment and eventual delivery to Ukraine.
For months, "Israel" hesitated to proceed with the transfer, citing fears of potential Russian retaliation, including the unverified possibility of Moscow increasing weapons supplies to Iran.
