The Ukrainian Air Force announced today, Saturday, that Ukrainian air defenses intercepted a Russian hypersonic missile for the first time during an attack on the capital, Kyiv, last week, marking a significant potential setback for the Kremlin's long-range airstrike campaign.
Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk revealed that a Kinzhal (KH-47) missile was shot down on Thursday evening outside Kyiv. He stated, "I congratulate the Ukrainian people on this historic event. Yes, we intercepted the unparalleled Kinzhal missile."
Ukraine explained that the missile was launched during a drone attack on Kyiv and other cities in the early hours of Thursday.
The airstrike on Thursday followed less than a day after Russia accused Ukraine of attempting to assassinate President Vladimir Putin in a failed drone attack on the Kremlin building in Moscow, threatening to retaliate.
The Air Force indicated that the American Patriot air defense system intercepted the missile.
The American Patriot system is one of a set of advanced air defense units provided by the West to help Ukraine fend off the ongoing Russian airstrikes targeting critical infrastructure, energy facilities, and other sites.
The Kinzhal missile, which means "dagger" in Russian, is one of six "next-generation" weapons unveiled by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2018, when he boasted that it could not be intercepted by any air defense systems in the world.
Russia, which has not yet commented on Ukraine's statement regarding the Kinzhal missile, has previously bragged that the missile is unmatched in the West.
This ballistic missile, which is launched from the air, can reach speeds of up to 12,350 kilometers per hour and is capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads. Reports indicate that its range is between 1,500 and 2,000 kilometers.
