The Pentagon officially confirmed the destruction of the first Russian hypersonic missile X-47M2 "Dagger" by the American MIM-104 Patriot air defense system in Ukraine

The US Department of Defense has officially confirmed the destruction of the first Russian hypersonic missile in Ukraine.

Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missiles (according to NATO codification - Killjoy). The corresponding statement was made by Brigadier General Pat Ryder during a press conference on May 9.

What is known

Kh-47M2 "Dagger" is aeroballistica rocket that can reach speeds of over 12,000 km/h (Mach 10). The maximum launch range is 2000-3000 km, depending on the type of carrier aircraft. Due to the fact that the rocket reaches a speed of about Mach 10, it is considered hypersonic. In fact, it is only partly like this, since it cannot maintain speed over the entire distance.

LIVE: @PentagonPresSec Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder holds a news briefing at the Pentagon. https://t.co/9VERzAtgmm

— Department of Defense ???????? (@DeptofDefense) May 9, 2023

The missile was shot down in the Kyiv region on the night of 4May. The Ukrainian Air Force officially confirmed the destruction of the X-47M2 "Dagger" only a few days later. An official statement from the Pentagon had to wait even longer. At the same time, the other day, one of the American officials, in an interview with CNN, on condition of anonymity, confirmed the destruction of a hypersonic missile.

Pentagon Press Secretary, Brigadier GeneralPatrick S. Ryder has Confirmed that the Ukrainian Air Force utilizing an American MIM-104 “Patriot” Air Defense Battery was able to Down a Russian Kh-47M2 “Kinzhal” Hypersonic Ballistic Missile over the Capital City of Kyiv on May 4th. pic.twitter.com/8VGqPwegzT

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 9, 2023

The interception of the X-47M2 "Dagger" is an important event.Ukraine was able to intercept a hypersonic/aeroballistic missile for the first time. This proves that the MIM-104 Patriot can withstand this type of airborne threat. Pat Ryder also confirmed that the American MIM-104 Patriot anti-aircraft missile system was used to destroy the X-47M2.

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When we say that the AmericanPatriot, then we are talking about the country of origin of the air defense system. General Pat Ryder did not specify which country's anti-aircraft missile system was used to destroy the hypersonic missile. He said that the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine can answer this question. At the same time, Ryder confirmed that the MIM-104 Patriot from the United States has already been deployed in Ukraine. Ukraine also received anti-aircraft missile systems from the Netherlands and Germany.