Patriot Missile System in Ukraine Likely ‘Damaged’
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A US-made Patriot missile defense system being used by Ukrainian forces has likely suffered some damage from a Russian air attack but does not appear to have been destroyed, two US officials told Reuters.
The reported damage to the US-donated missile defense system follows Russia’s Defense Ministry on Tuesday saying that a Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missile had destroyed a Patriot missile battery in Kiev.
One US official, speaking on condition of anonymity and citing initial information, said Washington and Kiev were already talking about the best way to repair the Patriot system and that, at this point, it did not appear the system would have to be removed from Ukraine.
The official said the US would have a better understanding of the damage in the coming days and information could change over time, Al Jazeera reported.
The Patriot is considered to be one of the most advanced US air defense systems, including against aircraft as well as cruise and ballistic missiles. It typically includes launchers along with radar and other support vehicles.
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters he could not confirm reports that a Patriot system had been damaged in Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces claimed success in shooting down 18 missiles, including six Kinzhals, which Russia had fired at targets in Kiev in what was said to be one of the most complex attacks on the capital city – in terms of the number of missiles fired in a short space of time and launched from multiple directions.
