With the launch of a Russian hypersonic missile, a "historic event" is said to have taken place in the skies of Kyiv. However, the facts are still unclear.
Moscow/Kyiv – Videos are currently circulating on social media purporting to show how Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian Kinschal hypersonic missile in Kyiv. According to NATO estimates, the missiles are hardly or only very difficult to intercept with air or missile defense. The Patriot anti-aircraft system, which was also supplied to Ukraine by Germany, was apparently responsible for the downing.
Ukraine reports launch of Kinschal hypersonic missile – "Historic event"
"I congratulate the Ukrainian people on a historic event!" wrote Ukrainian Air Force Chief Mykola Oleshchuk in his Telegram channel. The Kinschal, which Moscow has repeatedly touted as one of the best missiles ever, had already been intercepted on Thursday night (4 May).
On Twitter, the German military expert Gustav Gressel, among others, initially reported on the incident, citing the Ukrainian medium Defense Express. Grimkel wrote of "exciting news". After sighting debris found, Kiev confirmed the launch of the Russian hypersonic missile. According to military reports, however, Russia flew several missile strikes in the airspace over Kyiv only on Thursday.
Ukraine war: The origins of the conflict with Russia
Ukraine war: The origins of the conflict with Russia
Suspected Kinschal launch: Putin once bragged about hypersonic missiles
Previously, there had already been speculation in Ukraine about an alleged Kinschal shooting. Military bloggers, for example, published photos that are supposed to show the debris of the missile. Initially, the information could not be independently verified. There was also no reaction from the Russian side. After the alleged drone attack on the Kremlin, Moscow had already threatened several retaliatory strikes.
The eight-meter-long Kinschal rocket, whose name translates to "dagger" in German, is particularly feared because it can fly extremely high and extremely fast. It is therefore considered to be particularly difficult to intercept and can easily overcome conventional air defence. In the past, Vladimir Putin also spoke about the hypersonic weapons, claiming that the missiles were "invulnerable to today's missile defense and air defense systems." If the Ukrainian air defense actually succeeded in such a shootdown, it would not only be a military success, but also an important symbolic success. (nak/dpa)