The US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) confirmed that the sharp increase in Russia's use of ballistic missiles with enhanced maneuverability has reduced the effectiveness of Ukraine's Patriot air defense systems. This is stated in a report by the Special Inspector General, referencing DIA data. This was reported by 'Glavkom' citing War Zone.
According to the document, the Ukrainian Air Force has faced difficulties with the constant use of Patriot systems due to recent tactical improvements in Russian weapons. New missiles can change their flight trajectory and perform maneuvers instead of flying along a traditional ballistic trajectory.
Issues with intercepting ballistic missiles
The report provides examples of unsuccessful intercepts:
- Attack on June 28: The Armed Forces of Ukraine shot down only one of seven ballistic missiles.
- Attack on July 9: Out of 13 missiles, seven were shot down or suppressed.
According to the spokesman of the Ukrainian Air Force, Yurii Ihnat, quoted by The Kyiv Independent, these problems are related to Russia's use of 'Iskander-M' ballistic missiles and North Korean KN-23 missiles. He noted that the missiles are now equipped with radar decoy systems and use quasi-ballistic trajectories, making them more difficult to track and intercept. At the same time, Ihnat emphasized that this 'complicates interception but does not make it impossible.'
The message from the US Defense Intelligence Agency confirms that the use of Russian missiles with enhanced maneuverability has become a problem for Ukrainian Patriot missile defense systems. Russian missiles that change their flight trajectory and perform maneuvers complicate their interception. Ukrainian forces are facing difficulties in using the Patriot system due to updates in Russian military technology.