The Ukrainian Air Force claimed to have shot down a Russian hypersonic missile over Kyiv, marking the first time that Ukraine has intercepted one of Moscow's latest and most advanced weapons. The missile was shot down using newly acquired American Patriot defense systems. Ukraine had taken its first delivery of the Patriot missiles in late April, with the systems being provided by the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands. Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov had asked for Patriot systems when visiting the US in August 2021, months before Russia's full-scale invasion but seven years after Russia illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula. The cost of each missile of the system is approximately $4 million, with launchers costing about $10 million each.
The Kinzhal-type ballistic missile was launched by a MiG-31K aircraft from Russian territory, and the missile was shot down with a Patriot missile. The missile is known for its hypersonic speed and a heavy warhead that allows it to destroy heavily fortified targets like underground bunkers or mountain tunnels. The Kinzhal has a range of up to 2,000 kilometers and flies at ten times the speed of sound, making it hard to intercept.
The Ukrainian military had previously admitted lacking assets to intercept the Kinzhal. However, the use of the Patriot missile was effective in intercepting the Kinzhal, which is a slap in the face for Russia, said Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat. Ukraine's troops have received extensive training on how to locate a target with the systems, lock on with radar, and fire.
The system has cost Ukraine a fortune to operate as each battery requires up to 90 personnel to operate and maintain. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, thanked U.S. Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for the ongoing American aid to Ukraine. Zaluzhnyi also briefed Milley "about the situation at the front and preparations" for Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia. Ukraine has not said when it might launch the counteroffensive, but it is widely anticipated this spring.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces have accused Russia of using phosphorus munitions in its attempt to wrest control of the eastern city of Bakhmut from Ukrainian forces. The Russian troops have been trying to take the city for more than nine months, but Ukrainian forces are still clinging to positions on the western outskirts. Russian forces have not commented on the claim but have rejected previous accusations from Ukraine that they had used phosphorus.
