Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine, Michael Brodsky, confirmed for the first time yesterday that Israel has transferred MIM-104 “Patriot” Surface-to-Air Missile Systems to Ukraine. During an interview, Brodsky declined to specify how many of the eight MIM-104D PAC-2/GEM+ “Yahalom” batteries, decommissioned by the Israeli Air Force last year, were sent.

However, the transfer appears to have been underway for months. Since January, multiple U.S. Air Force C-17 transport aircraft have been observed arriving at and departing from Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, shortly after reports emerged that 90 Patriot missiles stored in Israel had been shipped to Ukraine via Poland.

Further reports in May indicated that at least one full Patriot system was being sent to the U.S. for refurbishment before delivery to the Ukrainian Air Force.