“Russia Attempts to Destroy US-Made Patriot Missile Defense System in Ukraine with Hypersonic Missile”

WASHINGTON – Russia have tried to destroy Patriot missile defense system made in the United States (US) operated in Ukraine with hypersonic missiles last week.

Two American officials told Moscow’s efforts CNNSaturday (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 from a long distance, making it platform powerful air defense 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.