Russia Destroys $1.1billion US Patriot Missile System In Ukraine

RAINING FIRE Putin ‘blows up US Patriot missile system’ protecting Kyiv as vid shows sky filled with rockets in ‘merciless’ blitz

DRAMATIC footage shows a $1.1billion US Patriot missile system filling the sky with rockets as it protects Kyiv from an unprecedented Russian blitz – before appearing to be blown up.

Vladimir Putin reportedly targeted the advanced air defence battery during Russia’s latest “merciless” attack on the Ukrainian capital overnight.

War-hungry Putin is said to have ordered the unprecedented missile strikes in a tantrum in response to the UK sending “game changer” Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine.

The latest influx of supplies for the battlefield enraged the President, with his spokesman vowing there would be an “adequate response”.

And he appears to have gone straight for the jugular by destroying Kyiv’s crucial surface-to-air missile defence system.

The Patriot – which stands for Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target – is alleged to have been destroyed in the latest bombardment.

It has proved an essential piece of kit for Ukrainian fighters to intercept missiles and shoot down Russian “kamikaze” drones.

The system boasts a powerful radar, a control station, a power generator, launch stations and other support vehicles.

It costs a whopping $1.1billion – $400million for the system and $690million for the missiles in a battery – but it granted Ukraine a priceless advantage when defending itself against air attacks.

Each missile fired from the Patriot costs around $4million – and footage showed dozens were launched last night alone.

It means Ukraine has racked up a hefty bill in its attempt to protect Kyiv.

Shocking video appeared to capture the moment a US-supplied Patriot SAM system exhausted its defensive supply as they battled against a barrage of incoming rockets and drones.

Several missiles can be seen hurtling towards the site before a huge explosion erupts, reportedly destroying the Patriot system.

The claims were published on the Russian Telegram channel Military Informer. There is currently no official confirmation.

The post read: “There are many videos from Kyiv showing the extremely dense batteries of the American MIM-104 Patriot SAM, and as soon as the SAM runs out of missiles, there is a powerful explosion at the location from which the launches were made.”

The Patriot is viewed as a vital addition to Kyiv’s arsenal due to its ability to withstand Russian aerial aggression.

Reports claimed it recently successfully downed an “unstoppable” Russian Kinzhal – or Dagger – hypersonic missile for the first time.

It marked a historic moment in the war as Ukrainian army leaders were unsure whether the Patriot could take down that kind of powerful missile.

Russia is believed to have intended to blow up the American-made artillery with the missile, but the plan seemingly backfired.

It is feared Ukraine’s defence of the capital could crumble if the indispensable mobile air-defence system was knocked out.

‘STAY IN SHELTERS‘

The latest onslaught directed at Kyiv was branded “senseless and merciless” by pro-Russian war blogger Anatoly Shariy.

City official Serhiy Popko said the nighttime barrage that swept in from the north, south and east had been “exceptional in its density.

He said: “The maximum number of rockets were fired at the city in the shortest period of time.

“This time, the enemy carried out a complex attack in different directions simultaneously with the use of UAVs, cruise missiles and, probably, ballistic missiles. 

“According to preliminary information, the vast majority of enemy targets in the airspace of Kyiv were detected and destroyed.”

General Valerii Zaluzhny, head of Ukraine’s armed forces, said Russia attacked Kyiv three directions using 18 air, sea and land-based missiles.

Source:- The Sun