Ukraine does not confirm Russian plane downed by Patriot system
Press Secretary of the Air Force Command Yuriy Ihnat (Photo:armyinform.com.ua)
Ukraine’s Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat
did not confirm a CNN report that a Patriot
missile defense system shot down a Russian bomber.
“We did not announce this...; when we shoot down something, we announce it on our own page, reflected in our infographics,” Ihnat told Radio Liberty on May 19.
“We did not announce it, so this came from someone else, as they say.”
Citing unnamed U.S. officials, CNN, reported that in recent weeks, Ukrainian air defense forces had shot down at least one Russian military aircraft using a U.S.-made Patriot missile defense system. The enemy bomber was reportedly preparing to launch cruise missiles at the country.
According to Ukraine’s General Staff, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has lost 308 aircraft.
On May 13, two Russian military helicopters and two war planes crashed over Russia’s Bryansk Oblast. According to pro-Russian military bloggers, the aircraft were shot down with anti-air weapons, killing nine crew members.
On May 16, Russia attempted to destroy a Patriot battery in Kyiv with six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. All of them were intercepted by the air defense system, although it did sustain minor damage, likely from the falling debris of the destroyed incoming missiles.
Moscow’s Defense Ministry, nevertheless, subsequently claimed the destruction of “five Patriot launchers and a multifunctional radar station.”
On May 18, U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that the damage sustained by a Patriot battery in Ukraine has already been repaired, and the system was fully operational.
We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
