Shillong, May 7: This is the first time that Ukraine has been able to successfully intercept one of Moscow’s most advanced missiles, according to the country’s air force, which claimed on Saturday that it had shot down a Russian hypersonic missile above Kyiv using recently purchased American Patriot defence systems.
An nocturnal strike on the Ukrainian capital earlier in the week resulted in the Kinzhal-type ballistic missile being intercepted, according to Air Force chief Mykola Oleshchuk. Additionally, it was the first time the Patriot defence systems were reportedly deployed by Ukraine.
Oleshchuk wrote, “Yes, we shot down the ‘special’ Kinzhal. It took place on May 4 during the nighttime raid over the Kyiv region”.
According to Oleshchuk, a MiG-31K aircraft launched a Kh-47 missile from Russian territory, which was then shot down by a Patriot missile.
One of the newest and most sophisticated Russian weapons is the Kinzhal. The air-launched ballistic missile, according to the Russian military, is difficult to intercept since it has a range of up to 2,000 kilometres (1,250 miles), travels at 10 times the speed of sound, and has a long range.
The Kinzhal can destroy heavily protected targets, including underground bunkers or mountain tunnels, by combining hypersonic speed with a hefty payload.
The military of Ukraine has already acknowledged having insufficient resources to stop the Kinzhals.
