Newsletters
Ukraine has been operating a U.S.-manufactured Patriot air defense system provided by Israel for the past month, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Saturday.
The disclosure marks the first public confirmation that Israel has transferred advanced air defense technology to Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Zelenskyy revealed the development during a briefing with journalists, stating that additional systems are expected soon.
"The Israeli (Patriot) system is operating in Ukraine. It has been operating for a month. We will receive two Patriot systems in the fall," Zelenskyy told reporters.
The Patriot system, originally developed by American defense contractor Raytheon, represents one of the most sophisticated air defense platforms in the Western arsenal. The surface-to-air missile system is designed to intercept aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at ranges up to 160 kilometers.
Israel's decision to provide the system signals a potential shift in its approach to the Ukraine conflict. The country has maintained a relatively cautious stance, balancing support for Ukraine with concerns about maintaining operational freedom in Syrian airspace, where Russian forces maintain a presence.
The announcement comes as Ukraine continues to seek additional air defense capabilities to counter Russian missile and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure and military targets. Multiple Western allies, including the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands, have previously committed Patriot systems to Ukraine's defense.
3 min read
