VLADIMIR Putin is facing fresh humiliation after Ukraine claimed all six of his “unstoppable” Kinzhal missiles were shot down over Kyiv.
The Russian President’s unprecedented blitz of the capital somewhat backfired after his most fearsome artillery was subdued last night.
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Ukraine claims to have shot down all 18 missiles that were fired at the city overnight in the attack that was described as “exceptional in density.”
Kyiv‘s skies were chillingly lit up as Russian rockets rained down from the skies as air raid sirens blared across the region.
Valerii Zaluzhny, leader of the armed forces, said Russia attacked from three angles using air, sea and land-based missiles.
This included nine Kalibr cruise missiles, which can travel at five times the speed of sound, that were launched from ships in the Black Sea.
Three land-based missiles were also fired at Kyiv, alongside half a dozen Kinzhal hypersonic missiles – which Ukraine claim to have shot down.
The KH-47‘s, also known as Russian Daggers, are said to be capable of travelling 12 times the speed of sound – making it nearly impossible to detect and neutralised from a defensive position.
The missiles, which can reach speeds of over 7,000mph and have regularly been unleashed by Putin in the Ukraine war, can be loaded with up to 1,000 pounds of explosives or even a nuclear warhead.
Putin himself has touted the Kinzhal as an unstoppable force that could even take on NATO – but he now only has 73 left to use.
Ukraine seems to be making the most of its influx of Western defence systems and announced all six had been shot down.
The war-torn nation said they had thwarted an entire barrage of hypersonic missiles with the US-made Patriot air defence system.
Earlier this month, Ukraine claimed to have shot down a single Kinzhal over Kyiv for the first time.
City official Serhiy Popko 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.”
But Russia insisted Monday’s onslaught of missiles and drones had all hit their intended targets.
Putin‘s goons also claimed they had successfully destroyed the $1.1billion US Patriot missile system that is key in protecting Kyiv.
The tyrant reportedly targeted the advanced air defence battery during Russia’s latest bombardment in a tantrum 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.
‘SENSELESS AND MERCILESS’
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.
It is feared Ukraine’s defence of the capital could crumble if the indispensable mobile air-defence system was knocked out.
The latest onslaught directed at Kyiv was branded “senseless and merciless” by pro-Russian war blogger Anatoly Shariy.
At least three people were reportedly hurt as residents were warned of falling debris.
The Solomyansky district, where Kyiv’s international airport is based, is said to have been the hardest hit.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko said rocket debris had fallen in central districts, including on the city’s zoo, but no animals or workers were injured.
He urged Ukrainians in a message on Telegram: “Stay in shelters!”
The relentless blitz led to a fire breaking out in a non-residential building in the district, which has since been extinguished.
BRUTAL BOMBARDMENT
It was the eighth huge air attack on Kyiv since the beginning of May – and the most intense.
Horror pictures show devastated buildings, cars, buildings and infrastructure as explosions erupted across the city.
The attacks came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky returned to Kyiv after a four-country tour in Europe with Britain as his final stop.
He secured pledges for even more air-defence systems, attack drones and armoured vehicles from allies.
Moscow is enraged by the British supply of missiles, but Putin’s spokesman said it would “not affect” the course of the war.
However, he warned it would “lead to retaliatory actions by the Russian Federation”.
Russian forces claimed to have downed one of the British-supplied Storm Shadow long-range missiles, but the US National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said: “I cannot confirm those reports.”
Russian ambassador Andrei Kelin claimed the UK-supplied weapons were being used by Ukraine to target civilians in the Donbas.
But Britain is understood to have received assurances that the missiles would only be used within Ukraine.
Ukraine has been asking for months for long-range missiles, but support provided by Britain and other allies such as the United States has previously been limited to shorter-range weapons.
The world is awaiting Kyiv’s highly anticipated counter-offensive – with suggestions they could launch a major operation and even push into Crimea.
Brave soldiers have been holding back the much-larger Russian army as the war devolved over the winter into a bloody stalemate.
Ukraine’s hero president Volodymyr Zelensky however said they need more time to prepare before they strike back.
Russia invaded Ukraine last February – a conflict which has devolved into a grinding, brutal war.
It is claimed nearly 200,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in Putin’s botched invasion.
And millions of Ukrainian civilians have endured untold misery as the Russians stole their homes and left cities devastated.
Despite the bloodshed, Kyiv is still standing strong against the Russians with backing from the West.
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Olivia Burke
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