The Ukrainian armed forces used a missile defense system made in the United States to shoot down a Russian hypersonic missile, according to a top official in the nation.
Mykola Oleshchuk, a commander in the air force, has declared that using a Patriot Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) defense system developed by the United States, Ukrainian forces fighting for the country allegedly shot down one of Russia’s hypersonic missiles last month. The system was delivered to Ukraine by the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands last month.
One of the most lethal weapons in Moscow’s inventory is the Kh-47 hypersonic missile, which some claim uses technology that is much more advanced than that which the United States now possesses. It is capable of reaching up to ten times the speed of sound.
With this weapon’s great movement speed, it was anticipated as extremely difficult to be destroyed using traditional techniques.
This is considered as the first time for the Ukrainian forces to have been able to deter one of these missiles, which might be a great achievement for Kyiv.
Oleshchuk claimed in a post on Telegram that Ukraine had been successful in intercepting and destroying a Russian hypersonic missile using the now-decades-old American defense technology.
“It happened during the night attack on May 4 in the sky of Kyiv Region. When loud explosions are heard in the air, my daughter reassures the neighbors every time with the words: calm down, our air defense is working! Talk to your neighbors, help each other in difficult moments, believe in our Air Force, believe in air defense!” The commander shared.
Yurii Ihnat, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian air force, called the successful interception a “slap in the face” for Russia.
The spokesperson was disputing the claims that the Patriot is an outdated American weapon and was emphasizing its ability to effectively defend against advanced missile technologies.
Because some were claiming that the Russian weapons were superior, the spokesperson confirmed that the Patriot is still effective, even against super hypersonic missiles.
Meanwhile, at least two Ukrainian ballistic missiles were reportedly shot down by Russia on Saturday over the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow illegitimately acquired from Ukraine in 2014, as reported by Russian propaganda source RT.
