Two US-made Patriot systems were among the hardware of Ukrainian troops destroyed by a strike of Russia's Iskander missile in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), a security source told Sputnik on Saturday
The Russian Defense Ministry reported Iskander's strike earlier in the day. Its preliminary data suggested the strike destroyed an S-300 missile system of Ukrainian troops near the town of Pokrovsk in the DPR. Sputnik later obtained footage suggesting there were three missile systems destroyed by Iskander's strike.
"A control analysis has found that captured on the video was not only the S-300, as previously stated, but two of the three vehicles destroyed [by the strike] were the Patriot missile systems," the source said.
The Iskander tactical missile system is a high-precision weapon with a firing range of up to 500 kilometers. The missile's warhead can destroy almost any target: enemy command posts, columns of equipment, or air defenses.
Iskander can be armed with both ballistic and winged projectiles, which create false electronic interference as they approach the target and become virtually invulnerable to enemy air defense systems. Cruise missiles can fly at ultra-low altitudes and skirt terrain.
The US sent Ukraine Raytheon-made air defense systems last spring, but they have had difficulties intercepting Russian projectiles and have been targeted themselves. In January this year, an advisor to the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Air Force Command admitted that Ukraine’s NATO-sourced air defenses have never actually managed to intercept even one of the estimated 300 Kh-22 series missiles Russian warplanes had launched into Ukraine since 2022.
In May 2023, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that its forces had destroyed a Kiev-stationed Patriot with a hypersonic Kinzhal missile. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced a successful hit on another Patriot two weeks later.
Western countries have been providing Ukraine with military equipment since the start of Russia's special military operation in February 2022. The support evolved from lighter artillery munitions and training to heavier weapons, including tanks. Ukraine eventually started pushing for Western-made fighter jets, which its donors abroad long resisted.
The Kremlin has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev, saying it would lead to further escalation of the conflict. In April 2022, Russia sent a diplomatic note to all NATO countries on the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine will become a legitimate target for Russian strikes.
Iskander Missile Makes Short Work of Ukrainian S-300 Air Defense System
Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine.
Footage provided by the Russian Ministry of Defense has shown an Iskander missile blasting a group of Ukrainian transporters with S-300 launcher mounts near a woodland area.
Russian Defense Ministry shared footage of the destruction of the S-300 air defense missile launcher in the area of the village of Pokrovsk, which DPR.
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) March 9, 2024
As a result of a precise strike by the Iskander missile defense system, the position of Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile system… pic.twitter.com/Wty48aCUn5
The powerful explosion caused by the precision strike obliterates them while S-300 projectiles also subsequently detonate – causing a fireball-like explosion all around the area.
In the Ministry of Defense's regular briefing, it was informed that the Russian Armed Forces improved their positions in the Donetsk, South Donetsk and Avdeyevka areas.
Enemy losses amounted to 975 soldiers, as well as a tank, three US-made M-777 howitzers, a RM-70 MLRS aka “Vampire”, French Caesar howitzer, US-made “Stryker” IFV and MiG-29.
In addition, the Russian army destroyed several electromagnetic warfare installations and numerous ammunition depots.
Apart from the MiG-29 fighter jet, Russian air defenses shot down 197 drones and three HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system shells, as well as a French-made Hammer guided bomb over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.
"The air defense systems shot down a Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft near the village of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk People's Republic. Over the past 24 hours, three rockets from the US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system and a French-made Hammer guided bomb were intercepted," the ministry said.
Russian Su-25 Jets Pay Destructive Visit to Ukrainian Positions
The Kiev regime's troops that still occupy parts of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) have once again learned the hard way that they are not welcome.
Su-25 attack aircraft of the Russian Armed Forces have executed a sortie against Ukrainian troop positions in the DPR.
Having successfully hit all the designated targets with unguided air-to-ground missiles, the aircraft were able to return to base in one piece as whatever air defenses Ukrainian troops had in the area were not enough to repel such an attack.
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