A U.S.-made Patriot missile defense system being used by Ukraine was likely damaged in a Russian strike on Tuesday, two U.S. officials said. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the system did not appear to have been destroyed and that Ukraine was already working on repairing it.
The Patriot system is one of the most advanced U.S. air defense systems, and its damage is a significant setback for Ukraine. The system is designed to protect against a wide range of air threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. Its loss could make it more difficult for Ukraine to defend itself against Russian air strikes.
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. Russia's defense ministry claimed to have destroyed the Patriot system with a "hypersonic" Kinzhal missile, but Ukraine denied this claim. The Pentagon has not yet commented on the incident.