Russia’s Kinzhal Kh-47 hypersonic missile, which was unveiled in 2018, can reach speeds of up to Mach 10 (12,350 kilometres per hour). Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said a U.S. Patriot air defence system shot the missile down Thursday night outside Kyiv.
The air-launched hypersonic missile is capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads. It reportedly has a range of 1,500 to 2,000 km.
The hypersonic missiles have been used several times in Ukraine since March 19, 2022. Ukraine Air Force could not intercept the hypersonic missile as Russia claimed since its introduction.
German Federal Ministry of Defence (Bundeswehr) announced on its website on April 18, 2023, that it had transferred a Patriot anti-aircraft missile system to Ukraine.
