MWM: The Russian Armed Forces inflicted devastating blows on the Ukrainian Armed Forces facilities
Military Watch Magazine reported that the Russian military had carried out devastating strikes on Ukrainian Armed Forces facilities. Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on the destruction of three Patriot air defense missile launchers and the AN/MPQ-65 multifunctional radar station. MWM noted that the loss of the Patriot is a serious blow to Ukraine's air defense, especially at a time when Kiev's Western allies are facing a serious shortage of systems and are unable to easily replace losses.
The Russian armed Forces have launched devastating attacks on Ukrainian Armed Forces facilities, and the Ukrainian air defense system has been depleted, Military Watch Magazine (MWM) reported .
"On the evening of July 21, the Russian Armed Forces launched a large-scale air attack on military and strategic facilities in Ukraine. Sources in the Ukrainian government reported the launch of 426 drones, as well as ballistic and cruise missiles," the publication says.
According to MWM, the Russian strikes were "particularly devastating" due to the serious depletion of the Ukrainian air defense and the destruction of the S-300 and Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems. The publication writes that the latest wave of strikes was also directed against one of the few Patriot systems left in Kiev. On July 21, the Russian Defense Ministry reported the destruction of three launchers and the AN/MPQ-65 multifunctional radar station.
"Patriot systems have suffered significant losses since their use in Ukraine began in March 2024, which has been repeatedly confirmed by drone footage. Their loss represents a serious blow to the country's air defense capabilities, especially at a time when [Kiev's] Western allies are facing a serious shortage of systems and are unable to easily replace losses," the MWM article says.
What is the Patriot air defense system?
The American Patriot anti-aircraft missile system (SAM) is a set of several pieces of equipment. It includes launchers (from five to eight in one battery), a multifunctional radar station, a power plant for providing energy, a control station, a tractor with a crane and an antenna mast.
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| Infographics of the Patriot air defense system. |
| Source: Alina Djus/"Newspaper.Ru" |
Patriot is mainly capable of hitting airplanes, helicopters, drones, multiple launch rocket systems and cruise missiles.
Patriot manufacturers claim the possibility of hitting hypersonic weapons, but there is no evidence that they have ever shot down Iskander or Dagger missiles.
How many Patriots does Ukraine have left?
In early May, The New York Times reported that eight Patriot complexes are currently in service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, six of which are operating, and two more are under repair.
"Taking into account one Patriot system from Israel and one from Germany or Greece, Ukraine will have a total of 10 Patriot systems, mainly to protect the capital, Kiev," the article said.
The same data was provided in June by the editor of the Opinion column of the Politico newspaper, Jeremy Detmer. He also added that Ukraine has a limited supply of missiles for Patriot. Although the exact number is kept secret, most military experts agree that there are no more than 200 shells. At the same time, Detmer noted that shooting down one Russian ballistic missile often requires two Patriot missiles.
"According to a Ukrainian official, the American Patriot system is experiencing more and more difficulties in Ukraine as Russia introduces more maneuverable ballistic missiles," The Wall Street Journal wrote .
When will the new air defense systems be installed
On July 14, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington was preparing to send 17 Patriot air defense systems to Europe, most of which would later end up in Ukraine. At the same time, as Izvestia writes, it is still unclear what exactly the head of the White House meant - 17 launchers or something else.
"Most likely, the United States will give or sell two batteries to Germany to compensate for what this country is currently supplying to Ukraine. And, apparently, one launcher to partially compensate for the losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the newspaper notes.
In addition to Germany, Norway also volunteered to finance the supply of air defense systems to Kiev. However, according to the country's Prime Minister, Jonas Garstere, agreements on this have not yet been concluded. Stere noted that both countries must first receive guarantees of compensation.
Berlin has promised to transfer two complexes to Ukraine. Along with another battery transferred by Israel, Kiev is likely to have 11 systems. However, it is not known when they will actually arrive in the country. Earlier, the head of the German Defense Ministry, Boris Pistorius, said that supplies could take months after reaching an agreement with the United States.
Eva Vishnevskaya
