Ukraine claims Patriot guarantees 100% interception of Russian missiles

President Zelensky declared that Ukraine's Patriot complexes guaranteed a 100% interception rate of Russian missiles after a series of attacks on Kiev.

"With our military successes and Patriot complexes, we will continue to respond to Russia and all its evil manifestations," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 29. "The Patriot complexes in service in Ukraine guarantee a 100% interception rate against any type of Russian missile."

Mr. Zelensky's comments came after a series of Russian drone and missile attacks on Kiev and several other Ukrainian regions. The Ukrainian military announced that its forces had shot down almost all of the missiles and UAVs in two waves of Russian attacks.

Ukrainian firefighters spray water on missile debris after a Russian attack in Kiev on May 29. Photo: Reuters — Ukrainian firefighters spray water on missile debris after a Russian attack in Kiev on May 29. Photo: *Reuters*

According to the General Staff of the Ukrainian army, Russia used 40 aircraft-launched cruise missiles and 38 Shahed-type UAVs in the first wave of attacks, with Ukrainian air defense intercepting 4 missiles and 8 UAVs.

In the second wave of attacks, Russia used Iskander cruise and ballistic missiles to attack key infrastructure in Kiev. Ukraine announced that it shot down all 11 Russian missiles.

However, the Ukrainian military did not directly mention the Patriot complexes involved in intercepting the Russian missiles. "If Iskander-M ballistic missiles were intercepted, you can draw conclusions about which system targeted those targets," said Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat.

In his speech on May 29, President Zelensky said Ukraine had made a decision on the timing of the counterattack. "The commanders and commanders have reported on the issue of ammunition supplies, training of new brigades, tactics and timing," Zelensky said, without giving details on the timing of the counterattack.

On May 29, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that its military launched a coordinated attack using long-range missiles launched from aircraft targeting targets at many airports in Ukraine.

"The mission of the strike has been completed," the Russian Defense Ministry said, adding that several Ukrainian command posts, radar stations, air force equipment and vehicles, and ammunition depots were hit by missiles.

The situation on the Russia - Ukraine battlefield. Graphics: WP

Authorities in the Khmelnitsky region of western Ukraine said several local military facilities were attacked by Russia. Fires broke out at ammunition, fuel and lubricant depots in Khmelnitsky region, a runway was damaged, and five military aircraft were disabled.

Khmelnitsky Oblast is home to the Starokostiantyniv base, one of the key bases of the Ukrainian Air Force. Starokostiantyniv base is believed to be the base of a squadron of Su-24 attack aircraft equipped with Storm Shadow guided missiles donated by the UK.

Western military experts believe that Russia is launching continuous attacks using cheap UAVs to deplete ammunition for Ukraine’s air defense systems. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly expressed concerns to the West about the risk of a shortage of anti-aircraft missiles before the counterattack that they have repeatedly mentioned.

Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate, said on May 19 that Russia is focusing on attacking bases and ammunition depots to disrupt their counterattack preparations, instead of trying to destroy energy infrastructure as before.

Nguyen Tien (According to CNN, Reuters )

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