Security policy expert comments on Russian Kinzhal downed over Kyiv

He stated this on Espreso.

Commenting on the recent downing of a Kinzhal missile by the Ukrainian military over Kyiv, Khara suggested that the Russian inability to create reliable supersonic technologies has been exposed.

"It is clear that if the technology of the 80s can shoot down this missile, in which the Russians invested quite a long time, and it was put into service in 2017, they declare it as 'supersonic', although you know that if a 'Zaporozhets' is tied up to a fighter jet and accelerated, then it will also be a 'supersonic' car. Therefore, this is an indicator that the Russians are not capable of creating such technologies," he said.

Khara also noted that the development of "hypersonic" weapons presents a host of challenges that the Russian economy and technologies are not currently equipped to overcome.

"The first and most important challenge is materials; the concept that is laid in this type of weapon involves advanced materials that can withstand high temperatures. The second challenge is the control of such a missile, since it is supposed to maneuver and bypass any current or future air defense systems," he explained.

Khara recalled that earlier, Putin boasted that the Kh-47 Kinzhal missile was capable of having an advance advantage over the air defense systems being developed by the USA or its allies.

"It turns out that the Patriot, an upgraded technology from the 80s, is capable of doing that. I think the Americans will draw some conclusions here in terms of how they can respond, and the Chinese will also see. I think the supersonic missile race will continue, but Russia is not among those who can actually participate,” he said.

• Around 2:40 a.m. on May 4, the Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully intercepted the Russian "hypersonic" Kh-47 Kinzhal missile for the first time above Kyiv.

• On May 6, the commander of the AFU Air Force, Mykola Oleschuk, confirmed that the Ukrainian military shot down the Russian Kinzhal missile for the first time.