
More US Patriot missile interceptors from Israel, Europe bound for Ukraine: report
More US Patriot missile interceptors will be taken out of storage in Israel and Europe and sent to Ukraine to help it defend against Russian strikes, according to a new report.
One Patriot defense system was shipped off from the Jewish state in recent days to be refurbished for Kyiv's use, with Western allies looking to deliver another battery of the weapons from Germany or Greece, the New York Times reported.
The delivery and promise of more of the defense weapons comes after Israel sent off about 90 Patriot launchers earlier this year, although most of those are still being refurbished in Poland and have yet to make it to Ukraine.
Advertisement
4 Patriot surface-to-air missile defense systems arrived in Poland in January to be refurbished for use in Ukraine.
Getty Images
4 Kyiv's defense systems are struggling to intercept the sheer number of missiles and drones Russia has been firing across the border.
Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
The Patriot defense system, which the US initially gave to Israel more than 30 years ago during the first Gulf War, is a mobile interceptor surface-to-air missile system that targets and destroys enemy rocket fire before it hits its intended target.
The Patriot system was eventually replaced by Israel's own missile defense set-ups, including the Iron Dome and Arrow, leaving the American-made launchers and batteries officially decommissioned in April 2024.
Advertisement
A Patriot system costs around $1 billion to build and about 90 soldiers to operate, with an estimated 186 of them believed to be in operation across the globe in areas of conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky long sought to get a hold of the Patriots to aid his nation, with a deal finalized in September 2024 between Kyiv, Washington and Jerusalem.
4 The Patriot consists of mobile units equipped with interceptor missiles.
Getty Images
Advertisement
While Kyiv currently has eight of the systems, only six are up and running and have been used so far, mostly to protect the capital as the Kremlin ramps up its attacks on Kyiv.
Zelensky has continued to seek more Patriot systems in Ukraine, telling President Trump that Kyiv is 'ready to purchase the necessary number of Patriot systems for our country.'
The plea came after Russia launched its deadliest attack on Kyiv on April 24, killing 13 people and injuring nearly 90 others. Russian strikes have only ramped up since the US-led peace talks began in February.
4 About 90 Patriots arrived in Poland to be refurbished for Ukraine this year.
AP
Advertisement
Given the sheer number of missiles and drones that Russia is capable of firing at once, Ukraine's defenses often struggle to intercept all the attacks, Kyiv officials said.
Experts also believe that Russia's increased intensity of attacks is meant to deplete Ukraine's already hemorrhaging air defense ammo.
Even if Kyiv gets the systems it needs, the equipment may not have a 100% success rate in fending off Russia's bombardment, as evident by the latest issue with Israel's more advanced defense system.
The Jewish state saw not only its Arrow but also the American Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system fail when a Houthi rocket struck near the Gen Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv on Sunday, the Times of Israel reported.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Israel Boards Gaza Aid Flotilla Carrying Greta Thunberg
Greta Thunberg speaking alongside other crew members Rima Hassan (right) and Thiago Avila (left) before the Madleen ship departed from Italy on June 1. Credit - Fabrizio Villa - Getty Images Israeli forces have intercepted a Gaza-bound aid ship off the country's coast and detained its crew, including activist Greta Thunberg. The vessel, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was transporting humanitarian supplies including rice, flour, and baby formula. It has a crew of 12, including French Member of the European Parliament, Rima Hassan. FFC said the boat was stopped and boarded by the Israeli military in international waters just after 3am local time on Monday, June 9. The organization was established in 2010 and describes itself as a 'grassroots solidarity movement' working to end the Israeli blockade of Gaza through non-violent action. Before the Israel-Hamas war, Israel still maintained control over what goods entered Gaza, as well as water and electricity supplies in the strip. This began after Hamas gained control over the strip in 2007. The organization's human rights attorney, Huwaida Arraf, said its seizure 'violates international law and defies the ICJ's binding orders requiring unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza.' The organization shared footage appearing to show Israeli personnel intercepting the boat. In the video, the crew have their hands raised, and a person is heard saying 'everyone, phones need to go, in the water.' Israel has dismissed the vessel as a 'selfie yacht' and said the 'tiny amount' of aid aboard would be distributed in Gaza. In a post on X, the government said the ship was being escorted to an Israeli port and that its crew would be returned safely to their home countries. It added that 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza over the last weeks, and that the U.S. and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) had distributed 11 million meals in the territory since it began operations on May 26. The GHF has faced sharp criticism from the United Nations and other aid organizations, who have accused it of 'weaponizing aid'. Concerns over its operations have intensified following multiple fatal shootings of Palestinians near distribution hubs. Read more: How Closures at Food Distribution Hubs Are Impacting Gazans Here's what we know about the ship and the status of its crew. The ship, named after Gaza's first and only fisherwoman according to FFC, was launched from Sicily, Italy on June 1. The ship was carrying aid to Gaza, estimated to not be much more than a truck's-worth, but FFC said that the mission was to raise awareness of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. This campaign comes a month after another FFC ship, named 'Conscience' was struck by drones and set on fire as a result of the attack while sailing in international waters. The 12-person crew included Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who said as the ship departed: 'The world cannot be silent bystanders, every single one of us has a moral obligation to do everything we can to fight for a free Palestine.' Other passengers included: Rima Hassan, a French politician. Thiago Avila, who leads FFC Brazil and is on the organization's Steering Committee. Baptiste André, Omar Faiad, Pascal Maurieras, Yanis Mhamdi, and Reva Viard, all French nationals. Mhamdi is a journalist for Blast; Faiad is a journalist with Al Jazeera. Yasemin Acar, an activist from Germany. Şuayb Ordu, an activist from Turkey. Sergio Toribio, an activist from Spain. Marco Van Rennes, an activist from the Netherlands. In a statement posted Monday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that it had intercepted the 'selfie yacht' and that the 'celebrities' on board would be returned to their home countries. The Ministry also published a video of the crew being handed water and sandwiches, saying they were safe and unharmed. Defense Minister Israel Katz said he had instructed the IDF to show the crew a video of events on October 7 2023, when Hamas militants killed more than 1,200 people and took another 250 hostage. The government is yet to comment on allegations that the seizure of the ship breaks international law. A government spokesperson has been approached for comment. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has said that France has offered to assist in facilitating the 'swift return' of the French nationals onboard the ship. In a press briefing Monday, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that the U.K. government urged the situation to be resolved 'safely with restraint, in line with international humanitarian law'. Special Rapporteur to the United Nations, Francesca Albanese said: 'As the Madleen was reportedly intercepted and seized by Israeli forces in international waters, the UK gov must urgently seek full clarification and secure the immediate release of the vessel & its crew.' In a post on social media, Albanese continued: 'The Madleen must be allowed to continue its lawful humanitarian mission to Gaza.' Amnesty International said that Israel's interception of the ship ignores its "legal obligations towards civilians in the occupied Gaza Strip.' 'As the occupying power Israel has an international obligation to ensure civilians in Gaza have sufficient and safe access to food, medicine, and other supplies indispensable to their survival,' the human rights organisation said. Contact us at letters@
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Conflict Files Releases Investigative Case Study on Abuse of Legal Authority in High-Stakes Divorce Case
NEW YORK, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Conflict Files has released a new case study titled 'Legal Power and Personal Motive – When Divorce Crosses Legal Boundaries.' This detailed investigation explores how a personal dispute, when supported by institutional access and legal influence, can escalate into coordinated unlawful activity. Zvika Naveh and Violetta Sekler The report examines a high-profile legal dispute involving Violetta Sekler, an Australian-Russian national, and her ex-husband, businessman Alex Sekler. It centers on the conduct of senior attorney Navot Tel-Tzur, former internal security chief Yaakov Peri, and veteran private investigator Zvika Naveh. The study reveals how their alleged misuse of authority transformed a private financial disagreement into a multi-agency criminal investigation. Key Findings: Fabricated Intelligence and Wrongful Arrest: The study outlines how false intelligence was allegedly used to justify the arrest of Alex Sekler at an international airport, accompanied by a public and invasive search of his private jet, in what investigators describe as a psychological pressure tactic. Escalation to Intimidation: When legal pressure failed, the suspects reportedly resorted to direct threats. The case peaked when a stun grenade was thrown into the courtyard of Sekler's residence, an incident captured on security footage. Covert Evidence and Digital Forensics: Investigators uncovered covert recordings, including one in which Yaakov Peri attributes the wrongful arrest to coordination between Tel-Tzur and Naveh. Additional digital evidence points to systematic planning and communication with individuals tied to organized crime. Institutional Leverage: The suspects allegedly exploited their connections within law enforcement to facilitate these actions, bypassing oversight and legal safeguards in the process. Expert Commentary: Dalia Kern, Director of Legal Risk Analysis at Conflict Files, stated, 'This case underscores the risk posed when legal authority is weaponized for private motives. Public trust in institutions depends on strict boundaries between legal power and personal interest.' About Conflict Files: Conflict Files is dedicated to legal risk and investigative research. Through evidence-based case studies, the initiative informs global stakeholders on corruption, cross-border misconduct, and institutional abuse. Access the Full Report: The complete report is available at: Media Contact:Jordan VanceDirector of CommunicationsConflict Filesmedia@ (617) 555-0145 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data


Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Russia Won't End Ukraine War Until NATO 'Pulls Out' of Baltics: Moscow
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Ukraine war won't end until NATO withdraws troops from the Baltics, a top Russian official has warned. Sergei Ryabkov, Russia's deputy foreign minister responsible for U.S. relations, nonproliferation and arms control, made the remarks in an interview with state-run news agency Tass. Newsweek has reached out to the Kremlin and NATO for comment by email. Why It Matters Ryabkov's comments mark a shift in the Kremlin's position. He suggested that the conflict's roots lie not only in Ukraine itself but in NATO's eastward expansion. According to Ryabkov, the withdrawal of NATO forces from the Baltics would help bring an end to the war. What To Know NATO maintains a strong military presence in the Baltic States, with multinational battle groups and brigades stationed in Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. The military alliance bolstered its presence in the region in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It said in an update on June 6 that the eight battle groups "demonstrate the strength of the trans-Atlantic bond and the Alliance's solidarity, determination and ability to respond to any aggression." Also, Sweden and Finland have switched from being neutral to joining NATO since the invasion. The Kremlin had said Ukraine must abandon its ambitions to join NATO as a condition for ending the war, but Ryabkov appeared to signal to Tass that the alliance must withdraw completely from the Baltics as well. In the article titled "Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov: It is impossible to resolve the conflict until NATO pulls out," the official argued that resolving the conflict in Ukraine requires addressing what he described as the root causes. "The American side requires practical steps aimed at eliminating the root causes of the fundamental contradictions between us in the area of security. "Among these causes, NATO expansion is in the foreground. Without resolving this fundamental and most acute problem for us, it is simply impossible to resolve the current conflict in the Euro-Atlantic region." Ryabkov suggested NATO's eastward expansion was central to the war. "Given the nature and genesis of the Ukrainian crisis, provoked by the previous U.S. authorities and the West as a whole, this conflict naturally acts, well, if you like, as a test, a trial, which checks the seriousness of Washington's intentions to straighten out our relations," he said. Last month, three Russian sources with knowledge of Washington-led negotiations told Reuters that Putin's conditions for ending the Ukraine war include a written pledge from Western leaders to halt NATO's eastward expansion. What People Are Saying A senior Russian source with knowledge of top-level Kremlin thinking told Reuters in an article published on May 28: "Putin is ready to make peace but not at any price." A second source told Reuters: "Putin has toughened his position." Sergei Ryabkov, Russia's deputy foreign minister, told Tass: "Trump's return to the White House, declaring his commitment to a political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, has become a reason for cautious optimism in terms of a potential normalization of relations with the United States, but also in a broader sense. "It was in this vein that the presidents of Russia and the United States held four telephone conversations. Our side expressed gratitude for the United States' support in resuming direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, interrupted by the Ukrainian side in 2022. "But Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin also confirmed the basic principle of the need to eliminate the root causes of the conflict within the framework of political and diplomatic efforts. Otherwise, long-term peace cannot be ensured, and in concrete terms, it is necessary to exclude any opportunity for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to take advantage of the pause for a respite and regroup their forces." What Happens Next Moscow and Kyiv will continue to launch strikes on each other's territory, with the war in Ukraine showing few signs of a peace deal in the near future.