Ukrainian soldiers showcase destruction of Russian missile with IRIS-T
Photo: The Ukrainian military demonstrates the destruction of a cruise missile using IRIS-T (Getty Images)
Ukrainian air defense system has destroyed a Russian cruise missile. It was shot down by the IRIS-T, according to Command West of the Ukrainian Air Force.
“The IRIS-T air defense system of the Western Air Command destroys a Russian cruise missile,” the statement said.
IRIS-T system
IRIS-T is a short-range air-to-air missile equipped with a cooled infrared homing head.
It was developed under the leadership of Germany in cooperation with 6 participating countries as a replacement for the AIM-9 Sidewinder.
The design and layout of the IRIS-T is very close to the Japanese Type 04 AAM-5. The IRIS-T SL anti-aircraft missile system was created on the basis of the missile.
Russia's attack on Ukraine
Starting in the evening of March 11, Russian troops launched a drone and missile attack on Ukraine. Kyiv, Sumy, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, and Odesa were hit.
As it turned out later, Russians attacked Ukraine with 3 Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 133 drones. Ukrainian air defense systems shot down 98 Russian drones.
