Israeli Patriot System Already Operating in Ukraine, More Expected This Fall, Zelenskyy Says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that an Israeli-supplied Patriot air defense system has been operating in Ukraine for the past month.
The Gaze reports this, referring to a briefing broadcast by Ukrinform on Saturday, during which Zelenskyy summarized his recent visit to the U.S.
The Ukrainian president said the system had already been deployed and was actively in use. He also announced that two additional Patriot batteries are expected to arrive in the fall, though he declined to specify from which countries they would be delivered.
The remarks come amid ongoing discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump about boosting Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and reports that Kyiv may receive Patriot systems from both Israel and Germany. Zelenskyy noted he would not provide further details on the transfer arrangements.
Ukraine has long sought Patriot systems to counter ballistic missiles and attack drones used by Russia. Back in 2022, Ukraine’s embassy in Israel formally requested the systems from the Israeli government.
Media reports later indicated that Ukraine, the U.S., and Israel were negotiating the transfer of batteries over 30 years old that Israel decided to decommission in April 2024.
In May, The New York Times reported that one American Patriot system previously based in Israel was scheduled to be sent to Ukraine after undergoing repairs.
Earlier, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal told the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in London on September 9 that Ukraine needs at least 10 more Patriot systems “urgently” to shield its energy infrastructure and cities from what he described as Russia’s “winter terror.”
“We still need to receive an additional 10 Patriot systems, as well as missiles for Patriot, SAMP/T, NASAMS, IRIS-T and Hawk,” Shmyhal stated.
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