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Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Ukraine sends formal request for Israeli air defense systems — report
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Ukraine has sent a formal request to Israel for air defense systems, the Walla news site reports, publishing a copy of the notice sent yesterday.
In the letter, Ukraine notes that in addition to Iranian drones, Russia is also acquiring Iranian ballistic missiles.
Given the Iranian involvement in the latest attacks, Ukraine asks Israel to send it several of its short, medium, and long-range air defense systems and supply Israeli experts to train Ukraine in their use.
The letter notes that Iran is gaining operational battlefield experience for its attack systems that will ultimately be turned against Israel.
The report comes hours after Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz reiterated that Israel would not send arms to Ukraine but could build a rocket and drone warning system for the Ukrainians.
Since the early days of the invasion, senior Ukrainian officials have asked Israel to send its missile defense systems, especially the Iron Dome, in public addresses and in private conversations with decision-makers in Jerusalem.
But Jerusalem has so far avoided providing direct military aid to Kyiv — neither offensive arms nor advanced defensive technology — since Russian troops invaded Ukraine on February 24, in an attempt to avoid sparking a crisis with Moscow.
The Times of Israel Community.