Destroyed in 5 mins: Ukrainian Air Force tells how Patriot targeted Russian aviation

Ukraine's Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat confirmed that on May 13, Patriot air defense systems destroyed five Russian aircraft in five minutes over the territory of Bryansk region. He said this in an interview with Ukrainian Novynarnya media.

The journalists noted that the Ukrainian military used Patriot air defense systems to destroy Russian aircraft over the Bryansk region. The enemy lost Su-34, Su-35, two Mi-8MTPR-1 helicopters and one Mi-8.

"It was a brilliant operation led by the Air Force Commander. Thanks to non-standard decisive actions, Patriot air defense systems destroyed five aircraft in five minutes in the Bryansk direction, from where they were then bombing our northern regions with guided bombs," said Ihnat.

He said that he jokingly calls this position the Bryansk Massacre.

According to Ihnat, some time after the events in Bryansk region, another Su-35 was shot down over the Black Sea, after which Russian occupiers stopped flying in the area for a while, as they realized it was dangerous.

"The Patriot system offers such opportunities!" he said.

He stressed that the Patriot system is still defending the capital, but the divisions that have been formed so far and the people who are currently serving in the Air Force will become the basis for the formation of other units. He is convinced that Ukraine will receive more Patriot systems. In particular, Ukrainians are currently learning in Germany how to use the next systems to be transferred.

In addition, Ihnat said that the Patriot system is an anti-ballistic missile system, as only a head-on collision guarantees the downing of such a missile, and it is done without human intervention.

• On November 6, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said that Ukraine needs modern F-16 fighters to fight Russian tactical aircraft. He noted that it is currently impossible for Ukraine to intercept Russian guided bombs.