The Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that on May 16, a Kinzhal missile hit 5 launchers and a radar unit of the American Patriot air defense system in Kyiv, which led to their complete destruction.
And the report says that “According to confirmed and reliable data, on May 16, as a result of an air strike by a hypersonic missile “Kindzhal” on the city of Kiev, the multifunctional radar of the complex and 5 launchers of American-made Patriot missiles were completely hit and destroyed, reports the Russian agency TASS “.
“He still works”
This comes after a US official confirmed earlier Wednesday that one of the Patriot SAM systems delivered to Ukraine was damaged but is still in service.
The official, who asked not to be named, told AFP that “the Patriot system is still operational” and that the extent of damage caused to it by an unidentified projectile that landed at close range is still being assessed.
“Don’t worry”
Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat told AFP “don’t worry, the Patriot system is fine,” adding that “the Patriot system is in service and working, and everything is fine.”
Ukraine reportedly announced in mid-April that it had received the first US Patriot air defense systems, a promise President Joe Biden made to his counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in December during the Ukrainian president’s visit to Washington.
“HD Strike”
And on Tuesday, the Russian army confirmed it had destroyed a Patriot system after a “precision strike” by a “Dagger” hypersonic missile.
Although Kyiv claimed to have shot down 6 Kinzhal missiles, this was denied by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
“Invincibility”
Notably, Kindzhal missiles are a weapon that Russian President Vladimir Putin calls “invincible” because its hypersonic speed allows it to avoid being intercepted by most air defense systems.
Ukraine has repeatedly demanded to provide it with the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system in order to protect itself from Russian strikes.
