By Smartencyclopedia Newsroom with agencies
Ukraine’s air force has claimed that it has successfully intercepted a Russian hypersonic missile with newly acquired American Patriot defense systems over Kyiv.
This marks the first time that Ukraine has been able to intercept one of Moscow’s most modern missiles. The Air Force commander, Mykola Oleshchuk, announced the successful interception in a Telegram post, stating that the missile was a Kinzhal-type ballistic missile and was shot down during an overnight attack on May 4.
It was also the first known use of the Patriot defense system by Ukraine. The missile had been launched by a MiG-31K aircraft from Russian territory and was intercepted with a Patriot missile.
The Kinzhal is one of Russia’s latest and most advanced weapons, with a range of up to 2,000 kilometers and flies at 10 times the speed of sound, making it difficult to intercept.
Due to its hypersonic speed and a heavy warhead, the Kinzhal is capable of destroying heavily fortified targets, such as underground bunkers or mountain tunnels.
The Ukrainian military has claimed that they successfully intercepted a Russian hypersonic missile with the newly acquired American Patriot defense system, marking the first known time Ukraine has been able to intercept one of Russia’s most modern missiles. The missile was a Kinzhal-type ballistic missile, launched by a MiG-31K aircraft from Russian territory, and was shot down with a Patriot missile. The Ukrainian military previously admitted to lacking assets to intercept the Kinzhals, but this successful interception was called “a slap in the face for Russia” by Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat.
Ukraine received its first delivery of the Patriot missiles in late April, with the systems provided by the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands. Each battery requires up to 90 personnel to operate and maintain, and Ukrainian troops have received extensive training on the systems. Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said he first asked for Patriot systems in August 2021, months before Russia’s full-scale invasion, but was initially told it was impossible. The Patriot system costs approximately $4 million per missile and $10 million per launcher.
Ukraine has not said when it might launch its anticipated counteroffensive against Russia, but it is widely expected to happen this spring. In an interview with Foreign Affairs magazine, U.S. Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that with NATO assistance, the Ukrainians now have the capability to attack and that their capability to defend was significantly enhanced compared to a year ago.
In other news, both Russia and Ukraine have carried out another prisoner-of-war exchange, and Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces have accused Russia of using phosphorus munitions in its attempt to take control of the eastern city of Bakhmut from Ukrainian forces.
For over nine months, Russian troops have been attempting to capture Bakhmut, but Ukrainian forces continue to hold positions on the city’s western outskirts.
According to military officials quoted by Ukrainska Pravda on Saturday, the Russian army used phosphorus and incendiary ammunition in an attempt to obliterate the city.
The article included a photo of the city ablaze in several locations, but the allegations cannot be confirmed independently.
The Russian military has not commented on the allegations, but they have previously denied accusations of using phosphorus weapons.
The use of white phosphorus or any other incendiary weapons in areas where there are concentrations of civilians is prohibited by international law. White phosphorus can also be used for illumination or to create smoke screens.
Source: With Agencies