Russia’s UN Ambassador: Israel’s Supply of Patriot Systems to Ukraine Could Have Consequences

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya commented at a press conference on the publication in the Financial Times about the possible transfer of Patriot systems decommissioned by the IDF to Ukraine.

“Weapons, no matter who sends them, <…> Ukraine will ultimately be destroyed, as will other weapons of the West and the United States. This is obvious. But I suppose that this, of course, may have certain political consequences,” TASS quotes the answer to a question about how such a development of events may affect relations between Israel and the Russian Federation.</…>

It should be noted that in April 2024, the Israel Defense Forces announced the start of the process of decommissioning the batteries of the American-made Patriot air defense system after 30 years of operation. On June 27, the Financial Times wrote that the United States, Ukraine, and Israel are currently negotiating the transfer of eight batteries decommissioned by the IDF to Kyiv.

According to the publication, if such a step is implemented, Ukraine will triple the number of Patriot batteries it has. Citing informed sources, the publication claims that the issue has been discussed in recent weeks between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, as well as between the head of the presidential administration of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. Direct negotiations on this issue were also held between Kiev and Jerusalem, but who exactly participated in them is not reported.

It should be noted that the systems being removed from service by the IDF are of an older modification than those currently in service with Ukraine, but are fully compatible with them. In addition, Israel has a significant stock of anti-missiles for them, which have a longer range and a more powerful warhead than those in service with Ukraine.

According to analysts cited by the publication, a direct deal between the countries is unlikely. Most likely, Israel will sell the air defense back to the US, which will then transfer them to Ukraine.