Ukraine disputed on Wednesday that a Russian hypersonic missile damaged a Patriot missile defence system manufactured by the United States during an air assault on Kyiv.
The claim was made by Russia’s defence ministry on Tuesday, following a midnight air strike on Kiev. Two US officials later stated that a Patriot system had most likely been damaged but did not appear to have been destroyed.
“I want to say: do not be concerned about the Patriot’s destiny,” Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat told Ukrainian television.
He ruled out the possibility of a Russian “Kinzhal” missile knocking out a Patriot system.
“Destroying the system with some kind of ‘Kinzhal’, it’s impossible. Everything that they say there, it can remain in their propaganda archive,” he said.
The Patriot system is one of an array of sophisticated air defence units supplied by the West to help Ukraine repel Russian air strikes following Moscow’s invasion last year.
It is considered one of the most advanced U.S. air defence systems, including against aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, and typically includes launchers along with radar and other support vehicles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has touted the Kinzhal missile as proof that his country has world-beating military hardware.
Ukraine said it had shot down six Kinzhal missiles on Tuesday, but Russia denied this. It was not clear which Western weapon Ukraine used, and the Pentagon had no immediate comment.