- September 27, 2025
- 9:14 pm
- Ukraine
September 27, 2025, Kyiv. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced at a media briefing that the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system, received from Israel, has been operational in Ukraine for a month, and that two more systems are expected in the fall. The statement was made following his return from the USA and a series of meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Question: “And in general, Germany still has to deliver two Patriot systems to us, and the Israeli complex was supposed to arrive. Are they already on the way? Because this is an important issue before winter. I understand that you can’t reveal all the cards here, right?”
Zelensky: “I won’t say everything specifically. Okay? The Israeli complex has been operating in Ukraine … for a month, … a month now. We will receive two Patriot systems in the fall. That’s all. I won’t say more about Patriot.”
Key points from the statement
- “The Israeli complex is operating in Ukraine. It has been working for a month. We will receive two Patriot systems in the fall,” Zelensky said at a press briefing on September 27 in Kyiv. Ukrainian and Israeli publications simultaneously highlighted this quote in their headlines, pointing to the unprecedented nature of the term “Israeli Patriot.”
- Context on deliveries: back in January, it was reported that the USA had removed about 90 Patriot interceptors from Israel for subsequent transfer to Ukraine. It was emphasized then that technically the supplier is the USA, and Israel is “returning” its old Patriot legacy to the USA, as it has transitioned to its own missile defense systems.
- Earlier in the summer, Zelensky mentioned that Ukraine had secured funding for several Patriots and was negotiating additional batteries — this creates a background in which the September remark about “two systems in the fall” seems like a logical continuation.
Why the term “Israeli Patriot” is important
- Political signal to Jerusalem. Israel officially avoided direct arms deliveries to Ukraine; the formula with the “return” of systems to the USA allowed maintaining a balance in relations with Moscow while not ignoring the moral-political pressure from Western partners. Zelensky’s public acknowledgment of the “Israeli origin” of the complex is the first such direct indication of Israel’s role in the supply chain.
- Signal to Russians and Iranian proxies. For Russian aviation and operators of Iranian UAVs, this means further narrowing of the “window of opportunity” over Ukraine’s centers and critical infrastructure. Patriot is not only about intercepting ballistic/cruise missiles but also a factor that changes launch tactics and bypass routes.
- Signal to allies: “fall +2”. The clarification about “two systems in the fall” demonstrates that the window for crew preparation and deployment is already open — and this is usually accompanied by pre-agreed logistical slots and missile delivery schedules.
Technical aspect: what Patriot provides now
Patriot is a modular system: radar, control point, launchers, and a set of missiles of various modifications. For Ukraine, the key is layered air defense: Patriot covers the upper echelon (including complex targets), while NASAMS, IRIS-T, “Gepards,” and mobile groups operate below. Some interceptors, “freed” after the decommissioning of Israeli batteries, were indeed moved by the USA to Europe with a focus on Ukraine — this helps address the ammunition shortage for the fall-winter period.
Important: public sources emphasized that Israel is not the final supplier of weapons to Ukraine — legally, this is a “return to the USA” with a subsequent decision by Washington. Nevertheless, the fact that Israel had a Patriot stockpile resource accelerated Kyiv’s access to interceptors.
What else
Kyiv is simultaneously launching major agreements with the USA: a working “Megadeal” for arms purchases and a separate “Drone Deal”, under which the USA will directly purchase Ukrainian drones. The Mineral Deal with American business is also progressing.
On September 27, 2025, the president emphasized: Patriot is not used against UAV swarms — Europe needs the knowledge of Ukrainian mobile fire groups and systematic assistance, not just “big iron.”
Humanitarian block and diplomacy: summit on Ukrainian children (40+ delegations), Crimean Platform in New York (62 delegations), renewal of UN monetary programs. The goal is a legally binding security guarantee agreement with the USA.
Energy and sanctions: call for total restrictions against Russia — from rejecting its oil/gas to combating the “shadow fleet.” A separate signal to Israel: even through the USA, the Israeli origin of Patriot is an important part of the partnership.
Political message to Moscow: if Russia threatens Kyiv with a blackout, it should understand the risk of a mirror response — “blackout in the capital of Russia.” This is about deterrence, not escalation.
In a nutshell: conclusion from NANews
Zelensky’s statement is the most direct public confirmation of Israel’s role (albeit through the USA) in strengthening Ukraine’s air defense with Patriot. This complicates Russia’s attempts at winter strikes and adds arguments in favor of accelerated air defense assistance. In the fall, if the delivery schedule is maintained, Ukraine will have at least two new systems, which means new “umbrellas” over generation hubs and major cities.
