Ukraine Denies Russia Destroyed Patriot Missile Defence System

KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine denied on Wednesday {that a} Russian hypersonic missile had destroyed a U.S.-made Patriot missile defence system throughout an air strike on Kyiv.

Russia’s defence ministry made the assertion on Tuesday after an in a single day air assault on the Ukrainian capital. Two U.S. officers later mentioned a Patriot system had most likely suffered injury however that it didn’t seem to have been destroyed.

“I need to say: don’t worry in regards to the destiny of the Patriot,” Ukrainian air drive spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat advised Ukrainian tv.

He dominated out the opportunity of a Russian “Kinzhal” missile knocking out a Patriot system.

“Destroying the system with some form of ‘Kinzhal’, it is inconceivable. All the things that they are saying there, it could stay of their propaganda archive,” he mentioned.

The Patriot system is one in all an array of subtle air defence items provided by the West to assist Ukraine repel Russian air strikes following Moscow’s invasion final 12 months.

It’s thought-about one of the crucial superior U.S. air defence methods, together with in opposition to plane, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, and sometimes contains launchers together with radar and different help automobiles.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has touted the Kinzhal missile as proof that his nation has world-beating navy {hardware}.

Ukraine mentioned it had shot down six Kinzhal missiles on Tuesday, however Russia denied this. It was not clear which Western weapon Ukraine used, and the Pentagon had no instant remark.

(Reporting by Olena Harmash, Enhancing by Timothy Heritage and Nick Macfie)

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