Russian forces launched a calculated assault on Kyiv, aiming to strike crowded streets just as civilians were emerging from shelters.
Easy Targets for Patriot Missile Systems
The attack, featuring two types of weaponry, showcased the vulnerability of Russian hypersonic missiles known as Kindjal, once deemed unstoppable. Instead, they became easy targets for older American Patriot missile systems.
The assault began in the early morning with the deployment of 32 Shahed drones. Although these drones were intercepted, the alert prompted civilians to evacuate their shelters, according to WP.
Once the threat from the drones was neutralized, two Ch-47M2 Kindjal missiles followed. This tactic was especially concerning due to the missiles' hypersonic speed, exceeding Mach 5, which reduces the time for civilians to seek shelter upon detection.
Nearly Impossible in 2022
Ukraine now issues alarms not only upon detecting Kindjals but also when MiG-31K aircraft, carrying the missiles, take off from bases in Russia or Belarus. This heightened vigilance reflects the seriousness of these attacks.
In the early months of the conflict, Russian forces were more likely to succeed with Kindjal missiles due to their speed, which posed challenges for older air defense systems.
Ukrainian forces had admitted that intercepting these missiles was nearly impossible back in 2022. However, the situation changed dramatically with the arrival of Western air defense systems, including the MIM-104 Patriot.
One of the most notable failures for Russia occurred on the night of May 15-16, 2023, when Ukraine's air defense successfully shot down all 18 missiles fired at Kyiv, including six Kindjals.
In the latest attack on October 7, both Kindjal missiles were also destroyed. Fortunately, while the debris fell in populated areas, there were no reports of significant damage.
