Israel quietly supplies Ukraine with Patriot defense system amid shifting geopolitics

09/29/2025 / By Belle Carter

Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed Israel provided a U.S.-made Patriot air defense system, marking a shift from Israel’s previous reluctance to arm Kyiv due to concerns over Russian relations.
Russia’s deepening alliance with Iran—Israel’s adversary—and Moscow’s waning influence in Syria (after Assad’s ousting) prompted Israel’s quiet support for Ukraine, despite past fears of Russian retaliation.
The Patriot system was routed through the U.S. under the guise of “refurbishment” to maintain plausible deniability, with Kyiv Post confirming the arrangement after initial reports.
Zelensky has emphasized Ukraine’s desperate need for more Patriots to counter Russian strikes on critical infrastructure, with eight currently operational and pledges for additional systems from Germany and the Netherlands.
Israeli officials publicly deny direct weapons transfers to Ukraine, highlighting their cautious diplomacy to avoid antagonizing Russia while phasing out older Patriot systems in favor of advanced domestic defenses like Iron Dome.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Saturday. Sept. 27, Israel has supplied Ukraine with a U.S.-made Patriot air defense system, marking a significant shift in Israel’s cautious stance toward arming Kyiv.

The system has reportedly been operational for weeks, with two more expected by fall. The revelation comes after years of Israeli reluctance to provide lethal aid, driven by concerns over Moscow’s military presence in Syria and diplomatic ties with Russia. However, Russia’s deepening alliance with Iran—Israel’s primary adversary—appears to have prompted Tel Aviv’s quiet cooperation in bolstering Ukraine’s defenses.

Israel has long resisted direct military support for Ukraine, fearing retaliation from Russia, which controls Syrian airspace critical to Israeli security operations. Yet geopolitical shifts—including the December 2023 ousting of Moscow-backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad—have weakened Russia’s leverage in the region. Meanwhile, Russia’s growing military and technological cooperation with Iran, which supplies Moscow with kamikaze drones used against Ukraine, has strained its relationship with Israel.

To avoid provoking Moscow, the transfer was carefully orchestrated as an indirect handoff. In May, the New York Times reported that Washington had requested Israel return an older Patriot system for refurbishment before routing it to Ukraine. Ukrainian outlet Kyiv Post later confirmed the arrangement, noting the system was “American and returned to the U.S.” before reaching Kyiv.

Ukraine’s desperate need for air defenses

Ukraine has repeatedly pleaded for more Patriot systems to counter Russia’s relentless missile and drone strikes on critical infrastructure, including power plants and substations. Zelensky emphasized the urgency during his recent U.S. visit, where he met with President Donald Trump and lobbied for additional military aid. (Related: Russia’s upgraded missiles outsmart Ukraine’s Patriot defenses, U.S. intel warns.)

Currently, Ukraine operates eight Patriot batteries, with pledges for more from Germany and the Netherlands, Brighteon.AI‘s Enoch declares. Berlin has also supplied IRIS-T systems, but Patriots remain Kyiv’s most sought-after defense against ballistic and cruise missiles.

Despite Zelensky’s announcement, Israeli officials insist they have not directly supplied weapons to Ukraine. In June, Israel’s Foreign Ministry denied Ambassador Michael Brodsky’s claim that Jerusalem had transferred Patriot systems, stating, “It is not correct. Israel did not transfer Patriot systems to Ukraine.”

The discrepancy highlights Israel’s delicate position—supporting Ukraine while maintaining plausible deniability to avoid antagonizing Russia. The Israeli Air Force has been phasing out its Patriots in favor of advanced domestic systems like Iron Dome and U.S.-deployed THAAD interceptors, making older models available for transfer.

The arrival of Israeli-sourced Patriots underscores the complex, behind-the-scenes diplomacy shaping Ukraine’s defense strategy. While Kyiv celebrates the reinforcement, Israel’s cautious approach reflects the high-stakes balancing act between aiding an embattled ally and avoiding escalation with a volatile Moscow. As Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid, the additional Patriots—when they arrive—may prove pivotal in shielding civilians and infrastructure from further devastation.

Watch the video below, where Marjorie Taylor Greene proposed to exclude Ukraine aid from the defense budget.

This video is from Cynthia’s Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Israel quietly supplies Ukraine with Patriot defense system amid shifting geopolitics

Ukraine’s desperate need for air defenses

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