A senior U.S. official indicated that the leadership of Ukraine’s Armed Forces could authorize the deployment of American Patriot anti-aircraft missiles after one Patriot battery was destroyed by a hypersonic Kinzhal strike. The official disclosed this in an interview with a British newspaper, emphasizing considerations about strengthening Ukraine’s air defense posture in light of ongoing threats.
The rationale behind the potential redeployment is linked to limiting the exposure of Patriot systems to future Russian attacks. By repositioning or increasing Patriot coverage, Kyiv could reduce the risk of additional losses and maintain a more resilient air defense shield over critical urban and military sites.
According to the Express, the official anticipates continued support from Washington and European partners, with more Patriot batteries likely to be sent to Ukraine in the near term to bolster defense capabilities against aerial threats.
Colonel Douglas McGregor, a former adviser at the Pentagon, suggested that the U.S. military might accept losses in personnel or resources if a Patriot system were hit by a Russian strike in Kyiv. He underscored the tough reality of operating advanced air defenses in contested airspace and the necessity of rapidly adapting to evolving threats.
On May 16, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that a Kinzhal hypersonic missile attack struck Kyiv, reporting the destruction of five Patriot installations along with a multifunctional radar station. The claim illustrates the high stakes involved in modern air defense battles and the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between offensive missiles and shielded targets.
Reports from an American television network cited a Patriot unit stationed in a Kyiv residential area that reportedly sustained only minimal damage from the Kinzhal strike. The account highlighted the disparities in impact across different Patriot batteries and the challenges of protecting urban populations while maintaining robust air defense coverage in a dense city setting.