US transfers 90 Patriot missiles from 'Israel' to Ukraine via Poland
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For months, 'Israel' hesitated to proceed with the transfer, citing fears of potential Russian retaliation.
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A Patriot missile mobile launcher is displayed outside the Fort Sill Army Post near Lawton, Okla., on March 21, 2023. (AP)
Axios on Tuesday 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 move marks a significant step in the Pentagon's efforts to bolster Ukraine's defenses against Russian attacks on critical infrastructure. According to sources familiar with the operation, this is the most substantial delivery of weapons involving 'Israel' since the war nearly three years ago.
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, 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.
Read more: Zelensky says multiple projects paused due to US freezing aid
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.
This delay reportedly caused frustration among Ukrainian officials, with one alleging that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu avoided engaging on the matter for weeks. However, in late September, Netanyahu finally approved the plan, according to an Israeli official.
The process was not without tension. A Ukrainian official claimed that President Zelensky declined to speak with Netanyahu until the prime minister approved the deal. Meanwhile, Netanyahu allegedly sought Zelensky's approval for allowing ultra-Orthodox Israelis to make a pilgrimage to Uman, a Ukrainian city that is a sacred site for many. Zelensky reportedly refused to engage in discussions until the Patriot transfer was finalized.
A spokesperson for Netanyahu later denied any link between the pilgrimage issue and the Patriot agreement, asserting that the prime minister did not object to the decommissioning of the Patriot system and its return to the US.
Logistics and coordination
Last week, the interceptors were transported on US Air Force C-17 planes from southern occupied Palestine to Rzeszów, Poland, a key hub for transferring military equipment to Ukraine. Sources familiar with the operation noted that additional equipment, including radars, will first be sent to the US for refurbishment before being delivered to Ukraine.
To ease concerns, 'Israel' informed Moscow in advance of the operation, stressing that the move was limited to returning the Patriots to the US and did not represent direct arms transfers to Ukraine. This approach follows a precedent set two years ago, when the US transferred artillery shells from storage in 'Israel' to Ukraine under similar coordination.
Read more: 'Israel' donating weapons to Ukraine via third countries: exclusive
Zelensky and Netanyahu spoke on Tuesday to discuss bilateral issues and ongoing cooperation with the US. Zelensky later tweeted, "We also discussed maintaining close contact with partners, particularly the United States and President Trump," adding that the two leaders agreed to "maintain close contact in the near future."
