Pentagon confirms Ukraine downed Russian missile with Patriot system

The Hill ^ | 05/09/2023 | ELLEN MITCHELL

[ChicagoConservative27]

The Ukrainian military has downed a Russian missile using the U.S.-made Patriot missile defense system, the Pentagon’s top spokesman confirmed Tuesday.

“I can confirm that they did down a Russian missile by employing the Patriot missile defense system,” press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters. “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.”

[ChicagoConservative27]

Ten bucks diaper brain will say he was there to witness this.

[Jewbacca]

I was at the family farm/vineyard (in the Golan) when a Patriot battery lit off not 50 meters from me. Knocked me clear on my ass.

I fly jets, and they are very very fast.

[rfp1234]

Why did the Ukrainians repeatedly deny this, but the Pentagram says it happened? / [clown world].

[JonPreston]

If they told me the sun rises in the East and sets in the West I’d call them liars.

[thegagline]

If the Pentagon confirms, then it must be true.

/sarc

[canuck_conservative]

why did Russia deny that the Moskva was sunk, and actually didn’t have an accident?

[Krosan]

Probably some value in keeping Russians believing Kinzhal missiles are unstoppable for a while longer so they’d waste some more.

Then someone put photos of the debris to internet and denial became pointless.

[rfp1234]

Non sequitur. I expect lies from Russia as much as I expect the Fraser River to flow into the Pacific (rather than the Atlantic).

However, I help to pay for the U.S. DoD, and thus I expect something better than propaganda.

[rfp1234]

And BTW, go Oilers. I don’t like any other team left to contend for the Stanley Cup.

[Jan_Sobieski]

Cool! But aren’t the Israeli arrow / Iron Dome systems better? Can the Patriot take out hypersonic missiles?

[Jewbacca]

They do different things.

Patriot is much longer range.

Dome/Arrow/Beam are much cheaper and can deal with smaller incoming (even artillery) at shorter range. Beam uses lasers, which is basically free per round, but doesn’t work (very well) when it’s raining.

Think walls of a castle. There are layers that work together.

[McGruff]

I noticed they don't claim it was a hypersonic missile like they originally claimed. What cost more the Patriot or the missile it shot down? Hope they have alot of Patyiots. Russia seems to have alot of missiles.

[Jan_Sobieski]

The Golan (Biblical Bashan) is beautiful! I would love to live there…

[11th_VA]

Go Raytheon - I wonder if they have contractors on site

[Jewbacca]

Can you pick grapes? Want to learn?

[ETCM]

Cool! But aren’t the Israeli arrow / Iron Dome systems better? Can the Patriot take out hypersonic missiles?

The Kinzhal IS hypersonic, and it's essentially exactly what the Patriot PAC3 is designed to intercept. The PAC3 is a ballistic missile defense interceptor, but some people questioned if the Kinzhal's terminal maneuvers would evade the PAC3. Apparently not. Next generation hypersonics, like hypersonic glide vehicles and scramjet cruise missiles are probably beyond the PAC3's capability.

[Rdct29]

Was the spokesperson wearing a wig,dress and makeup? I will believe what they say when they show video to prove it. Their track record for truth sucks as bad as bad as Hunter on a crack pipe.

[silverleaf]

The UKAF Commander didn’t get the script. Just the photos which were ridiculous. Here’s the result of mach 10 kinetic energy from a downed Kinzhal

[A strike]

Pentagon spokesman can only confirm this if there are US military personnel on site.

-fJRoberts-

[BobL]

Now if the Pentagon can only convince the Ukraine military that the Patriot actually took out the Russian missile...

Perhaps CNN can help here?