Russia destroyed the US Patriot Missile defence system in Bakhmut
One U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity and citing initial information, said Washington and Kyiv were already talking about the best way to repair the system and at this point, it did not appear the system would have to be removed from Ukraine.
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Bakhmut, May 17: A U.S.-made Patriot missile defense system being used by Ukraine likely suffered some damage from a Russian strike, two U.S. officials said on Tuesday, adding that it did not appear to have been destroyed. The Patriot system is one of an array of sophisticated air defense units supplied by the West to help Ukraine repel a Russian campaign of air strikes that have targeted critical infrastructure, power facilities, and other sites.
One U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity and citing initial information, said Washington and Kyiv were already talking about the best way to repair the system and at this point, it did not appear the system would have to be removed from Ukraine.
Reuters also confirms that the US Patriot missile defense system was damaged during Russia's overnight attack on Kyiv on the night of May 16. The publication writes about this with reference to two American officials. pic.twitter.com/3OZLCgzQFl
— S p r i n t e r (@Sprinter99800) May 17, 2023
The official added that the United States would have a better understanding in the coming days and information could change over time. The Patriot is considered to be one of the most advanced U.S. air defense systems, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. It typically includes launchers along with radar and other support vehicles. Russia's defense ministry said on Tuesday that it had destroyed a U.S.-built Patriot surface-to-air missile defense system with a "hypersonic" Kinzhal missile in an overnight strike on Ukraine. Ukraine said earlier that it had shot down 18 Russian missiles overnight, including an entire volley of six Kinzhals. When asked about the Ukrainian claim, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu dismissed it, the RIA news agency reported.
It was not clear which Western weapon Ukraine used. The Pentagon had no immediate comment.