Russian air defenses are reportedly impenetrable, having shot down seven of Ukraine's Storm Shadow missiles, but they also successfully destroyed a US Patriot air defense system in Kiev. Moscow says the targets were destroyed using the Kinzhal hypersonic missile.
Meanwhile, in just one overnight attack, Russia launched 18 missiles into Ukraine, six of which were Kinzhal high-speed ballistic missiles that travel ten times the speed of sound.
Let us also recall that an array of SAMP-T anti-aircraft missile systems was delivered to Ukraine. This delivery was the result of the joint efforts of Italy and France, in the context of international support for Ukraine.
It is worth noting that the SAMP-T anti-aircraft missile systems in Italy and France are integral elements of NATO's unified anti-missile defense (ABM) system in Europe.
Yuriy Ikhnat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, says the goal of acquiring about fifty Patriot air defense systems to protect against Russian missiles is necessary.
He also recalled the statements of President Zelensky, who said that Kiev needs 50 Patriots systems. "This, of course, is a very ambitious goal, but we will achieve it in any case. Both Patriot and SAMP-T respond to ballistics, and we also cannot do without other systems,” he said.
Russia has unlimited missiles
In the face of intense missile attacks from Moscow, a Ukrainian lawmaker has claimed that Russia can build enough missiles to hit Ukraine two to three times.
Roman Kostenko, MP from the Holos party and Secretary of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence, claimed that Russia's missile stockpile is not expected to run out anytime soon.
Kostenko claimed that, based on Ukrainian intelligence reports, Russia has plenty of missiles that would allow it to launch attacks on Ukraine more than two or three times.
He also stated that Russia, maintaining large war reserves, will be a significant threat to Ukraine for a long time. He pointed out that despite the sanctions, which primarily target larger operations, Russia has demonstrated an ability to quickly replenish its missile stockpile.
According to him, Russia's ability to manufacture various types of missiles used against Ukraine shows that the war is unlikely to end soon.
Kostenko stressed the importance of closing Ukraine's airspace and acquiring fighter jets to strengthen its defense capabilities. He also stressed the need to develop domestic missile production.
The Ukrainian MP's statement suggests that Russia's existing missile arsenal poses a significant threat to Ukraine's air defense systems, which may lead to continued or increased frequency of missile attacks from Moscow in the future.
Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu previously claimed that the country's defense industry had begun mass production of missiles and that plans were underway to double current production in the near future.
"In the eye" the operational airports of Ukraine
Yuri Ikhnat, a spokesman for the Air Force Command, stressed the urgent need for Ukraine to strengthen its air defense capabilities across the country, as an airfield located in central Ukraine near Kropyvnytskyi was targeted by two Russian missiles.
"The purpose is to enhance protection against enemy missile attacks, particularly as operational airfields remain attractive targets for adversaries," it said.
As for the cruise missiles, Ikhnat confirmed that air defenses successfully intercepted four of the original six, but two managed to hit the operational airfield.
He expressed concern about the vulnerability of Ukraine's numerous operational airfields, which are often targeted by the enemy due to the active presence of the Ukrainian air force.
He said that Ukraine requires Western multirole fighter jets to prevent the enemy from approaching its borders and launching guided aerial bombs against them.
Acquiring such modern aircraft would act as a deterrent and enhance Ukraine's defense capabilities.
