Ukraine's Air Force reveals who became the first to down Russia's Kinzhal missile in history
Photo: Dmytro, Patriot missile system operator (screenshot from a video by the Air Force)
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that a Patriot missile system operator named Dmytro became the first person in the world to shoot down a Russian Kinzhal aeroballistic missile.
According to the Air Force, on May 4, 2023 — exactly two years ago — service members of the 96th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade of the Air Command Center destroyed the hypersonic ballistic Kinzhal missile.
It was the first time in history that the missile had ever been intercepted by an air defense system. Russia had previously claimed such an interception was impossible.
The Air Force also released a video showing Dmytro, the very Patriot system operator who shattered the myth of the so-called invincible Russian missile.
"When the war started, I joined the military. I never imagined that I, a simple programmer, would learn to operate the Patriot system and become the first person in the world to take down a Kinzhal," Dmytro says in the video.
He added that on that day, he and his fellow soldiers believed they were targeting a Russian Iskander missile. But it turned out to be "a more significant target."
"When we found the debris, we realized it was a Kinzhal. Everyone was satisfied," he said.
Dmytro also said he holds his Commander, a Hero of Ukraine, in high regard. He said the commander motivates the entire unit.
"When your Commander is a Hero of Ukraine, you have no room for mistakes," he concluded.
As a reminder, The New York Times has reported that Ukraine currently operates eight Patriot systems capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles, including the Kinzhal. A ninth system is expected to arrive this summer from Israel. Another may be provided by either Germany or Greece.
However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated last year that Ukraine needs 25 Patriot systems to fully protect its skies.
