The Pentagon has confirmed experiences that the Ukrainian navy used U.S.-made Patriot air protection methods to efficiently shoot down a Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missile.
In a press briefing Tuesday, high Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder stated: “I can confirm that they did down a Russian missile by employing the Patriot missile defense system. As you know, that system is part of a broader range of air defense capabilities that the United States and the international community have provided to Ukraine.”
However, Ryder declined to say which nation provided the missile battery that shot down the hypersonic missile.
Patriot air protection methods have been utilized by the U.S. in opposition to Iranian ballistic missiles in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, however this marked the primary time the system shot down a hypersonic missile.
“The U.S., our allies, our partners, we’re going to continue to rush ground-based air defense capabilities and munitions to help Ukraine control its sovereign skies and to help Ukraine defend its citizens from Russian cruise missiles and Iranian drones,” Ryder added.
The Biden administration earlier Tuesday pledged $1.2 billion in long-term navy help to Ukraine, together with air protection methods and munitions.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
