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​Ukraine's Anti-Aircraft Defense Shot Down 65% of russian Missiles on Saturday, But There Were Some That There Was Nothing to Intercept

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During the russian-Ukrainian war, the Air Force of Ukraine repelled hundreds of missile attacks
During the russian-Ukrainian war, the Air Force of Ukraine repelled hundreds of missile attacks

The Air Force of Ukraine can destroy all cruise missiles, but when the enemy uses the Kh-22 missiles as well as ballistic missiles, other means are needed

Ukraine’s Air Force Command reported on the preliminary results of repelling the russian missile attack on Ukraine on January 14. According to the information, 25 of the 38 missiles were declared destroyed.

In total, the enemy launched 23 cruise missiles sea (Kalibr) and air-based (X-101/X-555) missiles. To launch those missiles Russia used eight Tu-95MS bombers as well as ships, including submarines in the Black Sea. Of the 23 cruise missiles, 18 missiles were destroyed. That is, the efficiency of destroying cruise missiles was 78%. The enemy also launched 10 Kh-59 guided missiles from tactical aircraft, of which 7 units were destroyed.

Read more: Missile Attack on Ukraine, January 14th: russia Uses S-300/400 Rockets on Kyiv and Inconspicuous Kh-22 Missiles on Dnipro

But in addition to cruise missiles and Kh-59, the crew of five Tu-22M3 long-range bombers launched five Kh-22 missiles. One of them hit a high-rise building in the city of Dnipro. As a result of this strike, at the time of publication, it is known 20 killed and 73 injured, including 14 children. Rescuers continue to clear the rubble.

A missile launched by russian terrorists on Dnipro city hit a residential building causing severe damage and massive casualties among civilians, Defense Express
A missile launched by russian terrorists on Dnipro city hit a residential building causing severe damage and massive casualties among civilians

Before this missile attack, the Russians used anti-aircraft missiles from air defense systems of the S-300 and S-400 types to attack Kyiv. Defense Express devoted a separate article to the possibilities and features of the use of S-300/S-400 missiles to attack the capital in the afternoon. As for the launch area of anti-aircraft missiles, it is indicated as "northern direction".

S-300 air defense system of the russian army, Defense Express
S-300 air defense system of the russian army

It should be noted that the interception of Kh-22 missiles, as well as anti-aircraft missiles flying along a ballistic trajectory, is more than a difficult task.

As the Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, stated, the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not have weapons capable of shooting down the type of missiles.

According to the commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, more than 210 missiles of this type have been fired at the territory of Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's military aggression. None of them were shot down by air defense systems.

The weight of a Kh-22 warhead is about 950 kg. The maximum range is up to 600 km. When used from long distances, the deviation from the target can be hundreds of meters.

Kh-22 missile under a Tu-22M3 bomber, Defense Express
Kh-22 missile under a Tu-22M3 bomber

"Only anti-aircraft missile systems that may be provided to Ukraine by Western partners in the future (such as Patriot PAC-3 or SAMP-T) are capable of intercepting these air targets," the Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine explained.

But on the part of Defense Express, we note that the number of Patriots that can be transferred to Ukraine is unlikely to be enough to protect even the largest cities of the country, not to mention all populated areas. Therefore, the only effective means of countering this threat is the destruction of enemy aircraft and launchers on the ground.

Read more: Ukraine’s General Staff Operational Report: russians Launche Air, Missile Strikes But Continue to Suffer Losses in Manpower