Pentagon confirms Ukraine used Patriot system to down Russian hypersonic missile
Mike Brest
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The Department of Defense confirmed that Ukraine used a Patriot missile system to down a Russian missile recently.
Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk said on Saturday that they used the Patriot system on Thursday to destroy a Kinzhal missile, which is one of Russia’s most sophisticated conventional weapons, for the first time over Kyiv. The interception represents the first sign that Ukraine, with aid from Western allies, could stop a weapon presented by the Kremlin as invulnerable.
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Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder confirmed on Tuesday that Ukraine utilized the Patriot system to intercept the Russian Kinzhal.
“I can confirm that they did down a Russian missile by employing the Patriot missile defense system,” Ryder said. “As you know, that system is part of a broader range of air defense capabilities that the United States and the international community have provided to Ukraine.”
The Biden administration announced it would provide Ukraine with the system in December and subsequently trained them on it.
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The Patriot system, which is made by Raytheon, is one of the U.S.’s most advanced surface-to-air missile defense systems and is designed to track and intercept incoming ballistic and cruise missiles and aircraft in the air. It’s also the most expensive weapon the U.S. has provided to Ukraine.
Patriot systems cost the U.S. roughly $1.1 billion, with $400 million for the system and $690 million for the missiles.