Highlights: Ukraine claims to have shot down a Russian Kinjal hypersonic missile, a first. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the missile was shot down by a Patriot air defense system over Kiev at around 2:30 a.m. local time on Thursday, May 4. On the Russian side, a senior official said Saturday that a Ukrainian ballistic missile had been shot down over annexed Crimea. The announcement comes as drone strikes, sabotage and alleged attacks have multiplied in recent weeks in Russia, sometimes far from Ukraine.

Ukraine said on Saturday (May 6th) that it had shot down for the first time a Russian hypersonic missile of the Kinjal type during strikes carried out by Moscow on the night of Wednesday to Thursday.

Ukraine claims to have shot down a Russian Kinjal hypersonic missile, a first

Russian Air Force Mikoyan MiG-31K jets carrying Kh-47M2 Kinzhal nuclear-capable ballistic missiles fly over Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia, May 7, 2021. AP

Text by: RFI Follow

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Ukraine said on Saturday (May 6th) that it had shot down for the first time a Russian hypersonic missile of the Kinjal type during strikes carried out by Moscow on the night of Wednesday to Thursday.

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The Kinjal missile is the "ideal weapon," according to Russian President Vladimir Putin when he unveiled the missile in 2018. According to him, it is very difficult to intercept for opposing defenses. However, Ukrainian forces said on Saturday, May 6, that they had shot down a Russian hypersonic missile of this type in the Ukrainian sky.

I congratulate the Ukrainian people on this historic event General Mykola Oleshchuk said on Telegram. "Yes, we shot down the Kinjal missile, which has no equivalent," he said. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the missile was shot down by a Patriot air defense system over Kiev at around 2:30 a.m. local time on Thursday, May 4.

Ukraine has asked its Western allies to help it strengthen its air defense system. Throughout the winter, Moscow had indeed bombed its energy infrastructure. In mid-April, Kiev received its first Patriots, considered one of the most advanced air defense systems. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the Patriots would "significantly" strengthen Ukraine's defenses against Russian strikes.

Ukrainian ballistic missile shot down

On the Russian side, a senior official said Saturday that a Ukrainian ballistic missile had been shot down over annexed Crimea, a rare event as an upcoming offensive by Ukrainian forces looms. "Air defenses shot down a ballistic missile fired from a Ukrainian Grom-2 system over the Republic of Crimea. No destruction, no casualties," Sergei Aksionov, head of Moscow-installed Crimea, said on Telegram. AFP was unable to confirm these statements from an independent source.

Since the summer of 2022, Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014, has been regularly hit by explosions and aerial drone attacks. In late April, a drone attack caused a huge fire at an oil depot in Sevastopol in Crimea, the home port of Russia's Black Sea fleet.

These new announcements come as drone strikes, sabotage and alleged attacks have multiplied in recent weeks in Russia, sometimes far from Ukraine, without their perpetrators being clearly identified. The Kremlin names Kiev as responsible, which denies it. Meanwhile, a major offensive by the Ukrainian armed forces is looming as major celebrations in Russia on May 9, the day of victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, are due to take place.

► Read also: Ukraine: "A drone worth 100 euros can destroy a tank to 8 million"

Ukraine claims to have shot down a Russian Kinjal hypersonic missile, a first

Ukraine claims to have shot down a Russian Kinjal hypersonic missile, a first

Ukrainian ballistic missile shot down

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