US Sources: Patriot Missile Defense System in Ukraine Likely Damaged in Russian Attack

(Patria) - The US-made Patriot missile defense system used by Ukraine has likely sustained some damage from a Russian attack, two US officials said, adding that it does not appear to have been destroyed, Reuters reported.

The Patriot system is one of a number of sophisticated air defense units that the West has supplied to Ukraine with the intention of repelling Russia's campaign of airstrikes targeting critical infrastructure, power facilities, and other locations. One US official, speaking on condition of anonymity and referring to initial information, said that Washington and Kyiv are already discussing how to repair the system and that at this moment it does not appear it would have to be withdrawn from Ukraine. He added that the US will have better insights in the coming days and that information could change over time.

The Patriot is considered one of the most advanced US air defense systems, including against aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. It typically includes launchers along with radar and other support vehicles.

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday that it had destroyed a US Patriot defense system with a "hypersonic" Kinzhal missile in an attack on Ukraine overnight. Ukraine had previously stated that it shot down 18 Russian missiles overnight, including six Kinzhals.

When asked about that Ukrainian claim, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu dismissed it, the RIA news agency reported. The Russian minister claims that Russia did not fire that many of its hypersonic missiles.

The mentioned Russian weapon is considered the most modern in the world, and according to Russia's claims, the missile reaches speeds of over Mach 12, making it "elusive" to all interceptors.