Kinzhal missiles shot down by air defense over Kyiv: Media points out important detail
Illustrative photo: MiG-31K (Wikipedia)
Today, Russia attacked Ukraine with three Kinzhal missiles. Several of them were shot down by air defense forces over Kyiv, Defense Express reports.
As the news agency notes, the fact that two Kinzhal missiles were shot down over Kyiv indicates that they can also be intercepted during the cruising phase. It is also known that one of the missiles hit the area of the Starokostiantyniv airfield in the Khmelnytskyi region. This was likely the primary target of the Russian forces.
According to calculations by Defense Express, the Russian army indeed launch Kinzhal missiles in such a way that they fly over Kyiv. This is why residents of Kyiv can hear the sound waves from them and sometimes even the operation of air defense systems.
Therefore, if Russia launched a Kinzhal from the Tambov region towards Starokostiantyniv, it would result in a straight trajectory through Kyiv and its outskirts. This implies that the air defense systems protecting the capital, which have missile defense capabilities, can intercept the Kinzhal. In particular, the Patriot air defense system can do this, as previously mentioned by the Air Force.
However, in the earlier case, the Patriot shot down the"Kinzhal during its final approach to the target. Today’s incident is unique in that the missile was intercepted during the cruising phase of flight. The difference between these cases is quite significant.
When the Kinzhal falls towards its target, its speed is no longer hypersonic. However, during the cruising phase, it exceeds 5 Mach.
At the same time, the Russians previously claimed that their Kinzhal supposedly can maneuver throughout its flight trajectory. They alleged that this capability allows it to bypass potential missile defense areas. However, despite these claims, the Russians stubbornly plot its route through the Kyiv area.
Shelling of Ukraine on October 7
On the morning of Monday, October 7, an air alert was declared in Ukraine. The Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine detected the takeoff of a MiG-31K aircraft, and it later became known that Kinzhal missiles were launched toward Kyiv and Starokostiantyniv. Subsequently, an explosion was heard in the capital, and the Kyiv City State Administration reported the operation of air defense systems.
During the shelling in Kyiv, debris were recorded falling in several districts:
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Solomianskyi district - debris damaged the roof of a multi-story residential building; one piece fell on the territory of a school, and others landed in open areas.
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Holosiivskyi district - a piece of debris fell on the roof of a car.
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Shevchenkivskyi district - fragments fell in open territory.
In particular, it became known that a missile hit the area of the Starokostiantyniv airfield in the Khmelnytskyi region.
