CNN: Russian missile likely damaged but did not destroy US Patriot system in Kyiv

The US authorities are assessing how much damage the American Patriot air defense system could have received after a Russian missile attack on Kyiv. This was reported by CNN, citing an unnamed representative of the US administration.

According to the interlocutor of the channel, the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system, most likely, was damaged, but not destroyed. After assessing the degree of damage, the US authorities will decide whether the complex needs to be taken back or whether it can be repaired in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation announced that during the shelling of Kiev and its environs on the night of May 16, a Patriot complex was hit by a Kinzhal missile. The Air Force of Ukraine claimed that the air defense forces shot down all launched drones and missiles, including six "Daggers". The Armed Forces of Ukraine refused to comment on the information about the strike on the Patriot system.

On the morning of May 16 , CCTV footage emerged in Kiev showing Ukrainian air defense repulsing an attack on the city by firing about 30 anti-aircraft missiles; while two rockets fall to the ground. A few minutes later, in the place where the anti-aircraft missiles took off, there was a powerful explosion. The launch of missiles by the air defense system in the video is similar to previously published footage of the operation of the Patriot air defense system. In the morning on the streets of Kyiv, they found a failed rocket for Patriot.

Ukraine is armed with two batteries of Patriot air defense systems: one was provided by the United States, the other by Germany and the Netherlands. It is not clear which of them was damaged.