Fresh batch of Patriot interceptors mitigated Russia’s ballistic strike on Kyiv

“Today we saw heavy use of ballistic missiles—18 in all [targeting Kyiv]—plus a Zircon [hypersonic anti-ship] missile that attacked critical infrastructure in Vinnytsia Oblast,” Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat told Ukrainian TV broadcasters.

“We shot down 14 of the 18 missiles headed for the capital. It was the Patriot [air defense] system at work, and that’s a very high result against ballistic threats.”

Ihnat added that during the overnight attack, air defenses destroyed 13 of 15 cruise missiles; two others were lost from radar tracking. They also neutralized 315 of 339 attack drones.

He warned that it is impossible to intercept every incoming weapon during constant, massed attacks.

“Even if we stop 85 percent or 90 percent, that 10 percent or 15 percent that gets through still causes damage,” Ihnat said.

“Over the autumn-winter period, the enemy has launched 100 to 150 Shahed [kamikaze] drones daily, plus combined missile strikes. Two, three or four missiles always hit somewhere, debris falls, and we lose critical infrastructure that our energy workers must then restore.” 

He noted that interceptor missile shortages hamper both ground air-defense systems and combat aircraft and urged European and U.S. partners to supply more interceptors.

Earlier the same day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine received a much-needed batch of interceptors for Patriot systems one day before Russia’s latest attack on Kyiv’s power grid and central heating network.