Israel’s potential transfer of Patriots to Ukraine could backfire, Moscow’s ambassador to the UN has said
Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, has warned that Israel must be prepared for consequences if it goes ahead with the alleged plan to supply Kyiv with US-made air defense systems.
Last week, the Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the negotiations, reported that the US, Israel, and Ukraine are discussing the delivery of up to eight older Israeli Patriot air-defense systems to Ukraine. Nebenzya warned on Monday, as Moscow assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, that such a development could impact relations between Israel and Russia.
“I believe that this could of course have certain political consequences,” the Russian diplomat said.
“The weapons, whoever they are sent by… to Ukraine, will eventually be destroyed, just like other Western and US weapons. That is obvious,” he added.
In April, Israel announced plans to retire its M901 PAC-2 batteries, which are over 30 years old, and replace them with more advanced air-defense systems. However, due to concerns that rising tensions with Lebanese armed movement Hezbollah could escalate into a full-scale war, they have not been decommissioned yet.
The latest FT report claimed that the deal, which is still being finalized, could involve the Israeli Patriots being sent first to the US before being supplied to Ukraine, which is facing a shortage of air defenses.
Throughout the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv, Israel has only provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine, refraining from sending any weapons. A year ago, the country rejected a request from Vladimir Zelensky for Israeli Iron Dome air-defense systems.
Russia has repeatedly warned that foreign weapons being sent to Kyiv will not prevent Moscow from achieving its military objectives and will only prolong the fighting and increase the risk of a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.