Two U.S. officials acknowledged that the Patriot missile defense system deployed in Ukraine likely suffered some damage from the Russian strike on Tuesday.
However, they rejected Moscow’s claims that the United States made air defense system was destroyed saying what it seems in one piece.
Patriot system is one of array of difficult air defense units supplied by the West help Ukraine fights back against Russians campaign of airstrikes directed critical infrastructure, power objects and other objects.
One US officialSpeaking on state of anonymity and reference to the initial information stated that Washington and Kyiv already talking about best way repair system and at that moment it was not system should be removed from Ukraine.
official added for the United States to better understand in coming days and information can change over time.
Patriot considered one of most advanced US air defense systems against aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles. It usually includes launchers together with radar and more support vehicles.
Russia defense The ministry said on Tuesday that it destroyed USA-built Patriot surface-to-air rocket defense system with “hypersonic” missile “Dagger” in night strike on Ukraine.
Earlier, Ukraine stated that it had fired down 18 Russian missiles per night, including a full salvo of six Daggers.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, answering a question about Ukraine’s lawsuit, rejected it, RIA Novosti reports. news the agency said.
Did not have clear what Western weapons used by Ukraine. The Pentagon had no immediate comment.
