As Russia intensified the air strikes against Ukraine and began using its hypersonic missiles, it was just a matter of time before its latest technology faced off with that of the US.
After all, the US had provided its state-of-the-art Patriot Air Defense System to safeguard Kyiv.
So did Russia’s Kinzhal hypersonic missile get through the Patriot’s defenses? Was the Patriot system hit?
Damaged, not Destroyed
According to Ukrainian defense forces, the Patriot system has thwarted multiple hypersonic missiles from Russia before being hit.
Russia insists that it destroyed a multifunctional radar station and five launchers of the Patriot system.
The US experts reportedly admitted damage to the Patriot Surface-to-Air missile system but maintained that it was never out of action despite the strike.
War intensifies
Russia intensified air strikes this month, using the navy and air force to launch missiles.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is also armed with UK-supplied long-range Storm Shadow missiles and has reportedly used them in the war. However, the country’s request for fighter jets from its allies has not been met owing to logistical reasons.