Ukraine downs Russian hypersonic missile with US Patriot

Ukraine’s air force claimed Saturday to have intercepted a Russian hypersonic missile over Kyiv using freshly purchased American Patriot defense systems.

Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk posted on Telegram that the Kinzhal-type ballistic missile was intercepted in an overnight strike on the Ukrainian capital earlier in the week. Ukraine first used Patriot defense systems.

“Yes,” Oleshchuk wrote. “It happened during the nighttime attack on May 4 over Kyiv.”

Oleshchuk reported a MiG-31K from Russia launched the Kh-47 missile, which was shot down by a Patriot missile.

The Kinzhal is a cutting-edge Russian weapon. The Russian military claims the air-launched ballistic missile can fly up to 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) and at 10 times the speed of sound, making it difficult to intercept.

The Kinzhal can destroy bunkers and mountain tunnels with its hypersonic speed and large warhead.
The Ukrainian military has admitted to missing Kinzhal intercept assets.

“They were saying that the Patriot is an outdated American weapon, and Russian weapons are the best in the world,” Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat told Ukraine’s Channel 24. “Yes, it works against super hypersonic missiles.” Ihnat said.

He called intercepting the Kinzhal “a slap in Russia’s face.”

Late April brought Ukraine its first Patriot missiles. It has not said how many systems it has or where they are placed, but the US, Germany, and the Netherlands supplied them.

Germany, the U.S., and the Netherlands have all sent at least one system, but it is unclear how many are operational.

Ukrainian forces are well-trained to use systems, radar, and fire. 90 people operate and maintain each battery.

Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said he initially requested Patriot systems when visiting the U.S. in August 2021, months before Russia’s full-scale invasion but seven years after Russia unjustly took Crimea.

He called owning the system “a dream” but said the U.S. warned him it was impossible.

U.S. Patriot deployment began in the 1980s. Analysts say missiles cost $4 million and launchers $10 million.

At such a cost, Ukraine was expected to utilize Patriots solely against Russian planes or hypersonic missiles.

In other news, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces accused Russia of deploying phosphorous munitions to seize Bakhmut.

Ukrainian military are still defending the city’s western perimeter after nine months of Russian attacks.

“The enemy used phosphorus and incendiary ammunition in Bakhmut in an attempt to wipe the city off the face of the earth,” military officials told Ukrainska Pravda on Saturday.

The newspaper photo showed a city on fire.

The claims were unverifiable.

Russian military have not commented but have denied Ukraine’s phosphorous claims.

White phosphorous and other incendiary weapons are banned in civilian-populated regions under international law.

White phosphorous may light or smokescreen.