Rapidly-fired hypersonic missiles reported by Ukraine, fierce battles in Bachmut
In a significant turn of events, Ukraine has successfully shot down a Russian Kinzhal hypersonic missile using US-made Patriot air defense systems. This marks a milestone in Ukraine's defense against the high-speed and high-altitude missiles, which are considered particularly difficult to intercept.
The first successful interception occurred on May 4, 2023, marking a shift in the balance of power in the ongoing conflict. However, early in the conflict, Ukraine lacked advanced air defense capabilities and was unable to intercept Kinzhals.
By June 2023, Ukraine had reportedly downed 8 out of 17 Kinzhal missiles launched at them. Some of the other missiles failed to hit their targets due to targeting errors rather than interception.
Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise as Russia and Ukraine exchange allegations. Russia claimed to have intercepted a Ukrainian rocket over the Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Russia, although this claim is not independently confirmed. The alleged rocket was launched with the Ukrainian Hrim-2 system, but the operational status of this system is unclear, as it was reportedly not yet fully developed at the start of the war.
The explosion in Crimea did not result in any reported casualties or deaths. The Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant will not be affected by the partial evacuation announced by the Russian military command for frontline cities in the region.
The Ukrainian Security Service SBU neither confirmed nor denied Russia's allegations of involvement in the blast. An alleged Ukrainian partisan group hinted at responsibility for the explosion, but the credibility of this claim is unverified.
Elsewhere, Russian politician Sachar Prilepin was injured in an explosion in Nizhny Novgorod, suffering "minor fractures" but not being in life-threatening danger.
In a move aimed at de-escalating the conflict, Russia and Ukraine recently exchanged prisoners of war, with three Russian pilots being released and 45 soldiers returning to Ukraine.
However, the conflict continues, with a Ukrainian military officer accusing Russia of using phosphorus and incendiary munitions in the battle for Bachmut. Yevgeny Prigozhin, a Russian businessman with close ties to the Kremlin, allegedly wants to withdraw Wagner troops by Wednesday.
The US Patriot air defense system was used to intercept the Kinzhal missile near Kyiv overnight, according to the Ukrainian Air Force's announcement. This system, equipped with PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptors, has proven to be a valuable asset in Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, however, blamed Ukraine and the West for the explosion in Crimea. As the conflict continues, both sides remain locked in a stalemate, with no clear resolution in sight.
[1] Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-downed-russian-kinzhal-missile-may-4-2023-05-04/
Politics and general news outlets have been reporting extensively on the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, particularly the interception of Russian Kinzhal missiles. The recent successful interception of one of these missiles using US-made Patriot air defense systems marks a significant advancement in Ukraine's efforts against war-and-conflicts and highlights the importance of advanced crime-and-justice systems like the Patriot in maintaining peace. Meanwhile, tensions remain high, with both Russia and Ukraine exchanging allegations and engaging in crime-and-justice disputes, such as the unconfirmed claim of Ukrainian involvement in the explosion in Crimea.
