IRIA News

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Israeli-supplied Patriot missile systems are now operating in Ukraine. Zelenskyy also requested $90 billion in weapons from the United States during a press briefing on September 27, 2025.

Zelenskyy revealed that he had presented U.S. President Donald Trump with a comprehensive list of weapons requested by Ukraine. “We have provided the U.S. president with a list of everything Ukraine wants, with details and illustrations,” he said.

According to Zelenskyy, the list includes advanced systems such as Tomahawk cruise missiles. He characterized the request as part of a “big deal” to expand Ukraine’s military capabilities through American armaments. He added that Kyiv was ready to sign separate agreements for other categories of long-range weapons.

On September 26, U.S. media cited officials in Washington and Kyiv who suggested that President Trump could approve the transfer of long-range systems. However, Trump himself has not confirmed any commitments regarding the matter.

Israeli Patriots in Ukraine

During the same briefing, Zelenskyy confirmed for the first time that an Israeli Patriot system has been in use in Ukraine for the past month. He added that two additional Patriot systems are expected to arrive this fall. “An Israeli complex has been operating in Ukraine for a month. We will get two Patriot systems in the autumn,” he said.

Israel had previously denied reports of supplying air defense systems to Ukraine. In June, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow had received official clarifications from Israeli authorities denying any transfer of Patriots.

Zelenskyy’s remarks now contradict those earlier statements. Back in May, some media outlets reported that one of the Patriot systems previously based in Israel was slated to be transferred to Ukraine following modernization.

Analysts noted that with this system and others supplied from European partners such as Germany and Greece, Ukraine could soon operate around ten Patriot batteries in total. In June, Israel’s ambassador to Ukraine, Michael Brodsky, acknowledged that systems once used to defend Israeli skies were now protecting Ukrainian cities.

European and NATO Contributions

The Netherlands has also pledged to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced in August that his country would send the first package of U.S.-made weapons, including Patriot missiles, to Kyiv.

“The Netherlands will deliver a €500 million ($583 million) package of U.S. weapon systems (incl. Patriot parts and missiles),” Brekelmans said on social media, adding that the Netherlands would be the “first NATO ally” to do so.

This follows an agreement reached in July in which several European states agreed to transfer U.S.-made weapons from their existing stockpiles. Under the arrangement, European allies cover the costs of replenishing their arsenals with similar systems.

With the combined contributions, Ukraine is building what officials describe as a layered air defense network. The shield integrates Germany’s IRIS-T and Gepard systems, France and Italy’s SAMP/T, and U.S.-made Patriot batteries. Military analysts argue that this combination could substantially improve Kyiv’s ability to intercept both ballistic and cruise missiles.

Strategic Implications

The deployment of Israeli Patriot systems marks a notable shift, as Israel had sought to avoid direct involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Tel Aviv’s previous reluctance stemmed from concerns about straining ties with Russia, which maintains a military presence in Syria.

Ukraine’s expanding air defense infrastructure coincides with intensifying debates in Washington over the scale of U.S. assistance. The requested $90 billion arms package would represent one of the largest single commitments of American weaponry to a foreign partner in recent decades.

Zelenskyy has emphasized the importance of securing long-range strike and defense capabilities as Russian missile and drone attacks continue against Ukrainian cities. While Kyiv awaits clarity on Trump’s position, European and Israeli contributions appear set to bolster its defenses in the coming months.