Military analyst Yuri Knutov believes Israel may have recently transferred Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine. He recalls that earlier Tel-Aviv had signaled its readiness to hand over part of its surface-to-air missile systems to the Ukrainian Armed Forces via the United States, but that plan was later scrapped, which he links to the position of Donald Trump.

Knutov notes that, at one point, Ukraine had requested six Patriot PAC-2 systems from Israel, including older modifications. Israel, he says, had promised to give these systems to the Americans, who were then expected to upgrade them to the PAC-3 standard and pass them on to Ukraine through European intermediaries. He referred to these arrangements in comments cited by NEWS.ru.

According to Knutov, the situation has now changed: he argues that Ukraine has reached a direct understanding with Israel on the supply of Patriot systems. At the same time, he stresses that the Russian army has repeatedly shown it is capable of effectively destroying such systems on the battlefield.

He also links recent cargo movements to possible deliveries of air defense components, suggesting that several flights may be involved and that missile shipments could follow. Knutov recalls a statement by US Secretary of State Marko Rubio, who, as he recounts, questioned why Kiev needed Patriot systems if roughly one such complex per week was either destroyed or disabled. The expert describes this remark as a highly significant admission.