In a significant development in international military aid, Israel has facilitated the transfer of approximately 90 Patriot air defense interceptors to Ukraine, with the United States acting as an intermediary. This move comes amidst Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to bolster its air defense capabilities against Russian aerial assaults.
The missiles, which were stored in Israel after the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) retired its Patriot systems in April of the previous year, have been transported to Poland before their final delivery to Ukraine. According to reports, U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft were used for the transfer, moving the interceptors from an air base in southern Israel to Rzeszów, Poland, a key logistics hub for military aid destined for Ukraine.
This operation was first reported by Axios, which cited three sources with knowledge of the matter, indicating that the U.S. military had orchestrated the transfer. An Israeli official confirmed to Axios that a Patriot system had indeed been returned to the U.S., although they noted uncertainty about whether the missiles were directly delivered to Ukraine thereafter. Further corroboration came from CNN, which detailed that the missiles had been in storage in Israel for more than 30 years, emphasizing Ukraine’s urgent need for additional air defense capabilities following repeated Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.
The decision to send these missiles was not without diplomatic complexities. Israel has historically been cautious in its military support for Ukraine, wary of antagonizing Russia due to ongoing conflicts involving Israeli operations in Syria. However, this transfer marks a shift, as it was mediated through the U.S., allowing Israel to maintain a level of diplomatic distance from direct military support to Ukraine.
The discussions regarding this transfer had been ongoing since last summer, with the Biden administration hopeful that this effort would aid Kyiv in its defense against Russian aggression. The urgency of Ukraine’s request for more Patriot systems was driven by the relentless barrage of Russian missiles and drones, which have significantly challenged Ukraine’s air defense systems.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the plan in September 2024, after months of hesitation, reportedly due to concerns about Russian retaliation. This approval came after a period of diplomatic tension, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had reportedly refused to take calls from Netanyahu, who was seeking approval for an annual pilgrimage to Uman by Hasidic Jews.
This transfer underscores a complex web of international relations, balancing military aid with diplomatic considerations. While Israel has been reluctant to provide direct military support to Ukraine, this move through U.S. mediation shows a nuanced approach to aid while navigating geopolitical tensions with Russia.
The U.S., for its part, has been a significant provider of military assistance to Ukraine since the onset of the conflict in 2022, with this latest transfer of Patriot missiles from Israeli storage being one of the more notable instances of indirect support from other nations.
As the situation evolves, the implications of this transfer on the broader geopolitical landscape, particularly in terms of U.S.-Israel-Russia relations, will be closely watched.