Russia Claims It Destroyed Two Patriot Systems in Ukraine's Odesa

Russian forces destroyed two of Ukraine's U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems in the Odesa region of southern Ukraine, Russia's state-run news agency reported on Friday.

"The Odesa resistance reports the destruction of two Patriot air defense systems. Around lunchtime, residents heard a series of explosions, with a second detonation," Sergei Lebedev, a Kremlin collaborator who coordinates pro-Russian cells in Ukraine told RIA Novosti.

Lebedev said explosions were reported in the village of Kotovsky, where a Ukrainian military unit is based, sharing a photo with the publication that purportedly showed a large plume of smoke.

Newsweek couldn't independently verify Lebedev's claims and has contacted Ukrainian authorities for comment by email.

The Patriot, or Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target, is one of Washington's most advanced air defense systems. Kyiv has relied heavily on the surface-to-air missile defense systems, which fire interceptor missiles, to defend against Russian attacks in the ongoing war launched by President Vladimir Putin in February 2022.

In June, the U.S. announced that it was halting orders to other nations to prioritize deliveries to Ukraine. The decision was made to allow Ukraine to maintain its stockpiles "at a key moment in the war," U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said.

"We're going to reprioritize the deliveries of these exports so that those missiles rolling off the production line will now be provided to Ukraine," he said. "This … demonstrates our commitment to supporting our partners when they're in existential danger."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in June that the systems "protect Ukrainian cities and civilians."

On Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry said its forces had destroyed three Patriot launchers using a combination of drones, artillery and ground troops.

Ukraine is reported to have destroyed a Russian S-400 Triumph air defense system during an attack on annexed Crimea using U.S.-made ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) on Friday.

The Crimea-based Telegram channel Crimean Wind reported that Ukrainian forces struck multiple military targets, including one of Russia's prized S-400 Triumph air defense systems and a radar that provides missile guidance for the system.

"We are waiting for satellite images [showing the] result of the attack," the channel said.

Mikhail Razvozhaev, the Kremlin-installed governor of the city of Sevastopol, said debris from an ATACMS missile struck a nine-story building, breaking through its roof.

Kyiv's forces are reported to have frequently used ATACMS to attack the Crimean Peninsula, with targets often including military airfields.

Ukraine has pledged to reclaim Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014.

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