NYT: Ukraine to receive additional Patriot missiles

Ukraine is set to receive additional Patriot air defence missiles that were previously stationed in Israel, according to four current and former U.S. officials. 

The system will be sent to Ukraine following refurbishment, while discussions are ongoing among Western allies regarding the possible transfer of another Patriot system from Germany or Greece, The New York Times writes.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, did not disclose President Donald Trump’s stance on the recent transfers. However, The White House’s National Security Council Spokesman James Hewitt emphasised that no specific information would be shared regarding the deployment or positioning of defence systems.

“President Trump has been clear: he wants the war in Ukraine to end and the killing to stop,” Hewitt said.

According to a former White House official, the Biden administration reached the agreement with Israel last September, ahead of the U.S. presidential election. The Pentagon confirmed in a statement that it continues to provide Ukraine with equipment from previously approved aid packages, including systems drawn from existing inventories and newly acquired weapons.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested seven Patriot systems a year ago, and Ukraine now possesses eight—though only six are currently operational. The remaining two are under repair. With the system from Israel and a potential contribution from Germany or Greece, Ukraine's total number of Patriot systems would rise to 10, most of which are expected to be used to defend the capital, Kyiv. 

The United States delivered its first Patriot air defence system to Ukraine in April 2023. However, by January 2024, the country was already facing shortages of said missiles.

By Sabina Mammadli