Ukraine has announced a significant victory in its ongoing conflict with Russia, as it successfully intercepted a Russian Kinzhal missile launched toward the Kyiv region. The advanced ballistic missile, which boasts a range of 2,000 kilometers and is one of Russia's most formidable weapons, was shot down using US-made Patriot defense systems. This marks the first known instance of Ukraine employing these state-of-the-art systems.
The successful intercept coincides with indications that Ukraine is preparing to launch a counteroffensive aimed at reclaiming territory occupied by Russian forces during the war. It can be recalled that Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov requested the Patriot systems back in August 2021, well before Russia initiated their full-scale invasion.
On Saturday, Ukraine's air force reported having downed the hypersonic Kinzhal-type ballistic missile over Kyiv using newly acquired American Patriot defense systems. Launched from Russian territory by an MiG-31K aircraft, this high-speed weapon presents considerable interception challenges due to its capacity to travel at ten times the speed of sound.
The first delivery of Patriot missiles arrived in late April thanks to assistance from the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands. Priced at approximately $4 million per missile and $10 million for each launcher unit involved substantial investment on behalf of those providing aid.
In addition to this impressive display of military prowess against advanced weaponry like phosphorus munitions deployed by Russia in previous attacks on eastern Ukrainian cities such as Kharkiv and Mariupol , Saturday's incident highlights how effectively Ukraine has adapted its defensive capabilities since February 2022 when hostilities began.
With their recent success against Moscow's most-feared Kinzhal missile - previously deemed unstoppable due to traveling five times faster than traditional ballistic missiles - Ukraine demonstrates newfound resilience amid challenging circumstances caused by ongoing warfare with Russia.