loading…
Russia is trying to destroy a US-made Patriot missile defense system operating in Ukraine. Russia is doing it with hypersonic missiles. Photo/REUTERS
WASHINGTON – Russia have tried to destroy Patriot missile defense system made in the United States (US) operated in Ukraine with hypersonic missiles last week.
Moscow’s efforts were revealed by two American officials to CNN, Saturday (13/5/2023).
According to the officials, the Russian attack failed. Instead, the Ukrainian military intercepted the missile using the Patriot system.
It marked Kiev’s first successful use of the advanced US-made air defense system just weeks after it arrived in Ukraine.
A US official said Ukrainian air defense forces fired several interceptor missiles from the Patriot system at different angles to intercept the Russian hypersonic missile, showing how quickly they are adept at using the powerful system.
US officials believe that the Russians picked up the signal emitted from the Patriot, allowing them to target the system using a hypersonic missile, known as the Kinzhal or Killjoy.
The Patriot missile system has a powerful radar to detect incoming targets at long distances, making it a powerful air defense platform capable of intercepting ballistic missiles and more.
But the radar emission needed to spot threats at a distance also allows the enemy to detect Patriot batteries and know their location.
Unlike some of the short-range air defense systems provided to Ukraine which are mobile and more difficult to target, the Patriot system’s large battery is a stationary system, allowing Russia to zero in on its location from time to time.
