Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, has commented on the possible transfer of decommissioned Patriot systems by the IDF to Ukraine. He mentioned that any weapons sent to Ukraine, regardless of the source, will ultimately be destructive, including those from Western countries and the United States. This statement was made in response to a question about how this development could impact relations between Israel and Russia.
In April 2024, the Israel Defense Forces announced the decommissioning of Patriot air defense system batteries after 30 years of use. The Financial Times reported on June 27 that negotiations are ongoing between the United States, Ukraine, and Israel regarding the transfer of eight decommissioned Patriot batteries to Ukraine. If successful, this transfer would triple Ukraine’s current number of Patriot batteries.
The older Patriot systems being decommissioned by the IDF are fully compatible with Ukraine’s existing systems, although they are of a previous generation. However, some analysts suggest that a direct deal between the countries is unlikely, and it is more probable that Israel will sell these air defense systems back to the US, which would then transfer them to Ukraine. The situation regarding this potential transfer remains under negotiation between Israel and Russia with potential political implications.
