Ukraine on Wednesday denied that a Russian hypersonic missile destroyed the American Patriot air defense system during an airstrike in Kyiv, Reuters reported.

This was announced by the Ministry of Defense of Russia on Tuesday after the nighttime airstrike on the Ukrainian capital.

Two US officials later said the Patriot system may have been damaged, but it did not appear to have been destroyed.

“I want to say: don’t worry about the fate of the Patriot,” Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat told Ukrainian television.

• pageWill Ukraine use Patriot systems to shoot down Russian hypersonic missiles?

He ruled out the possibility that the Russian Kinjal missile could have shot down the Patriot system.

“It is impossible to destroy the system with the help of some Kinjal. Everything they say there can remain in their propaganda archive,” he said.

The Patriot system is part of a series of sophisticated air defense units provided by the West to help Ukraine repel Russian airstrikes after Moscow invaded last year.

It is considered one of the most advanced US air defense systems, including against aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, and typically includes launchers, radars, and other support assets.

Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the Kinzhal missile as proof that his country has world-class military equipment.

Ukraine said it shot down six Kinzhal missiles on Tuesday, but Russia denied this.

Ukraine said it shot down such a Russian missile for the first time in early May thanks to the powerful American Patriot anti-aircraft system delivered to Kyiv in April.

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