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☆ Ukraine conflict: Kyiv says it stopped a missile Russia said was unstoppable
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Tim Lister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

An air-launched ballistic missile, the Kh-47 has a range of some 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles), so can be fired far from the battlefield. It travels at about 10 times the speed of sound and is derived from the shorter-range Iskander ballistic missile, which is ground launched. Ukrainian intelligence believes Russia has only a few dozen Kinzhal missiles in its arsenal – a claim which couldn’t be independently verified. In April, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said Patriot systems had arrived from the US, Germany and the Netherlands. The Patriots provide a modern dimension to Ukraine’s air defense layers, as does the German IRIS-T system.

☆ Ukraine Says It Shot Down Russia’s Most Sophisticated Missile for First Time
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Marc Santora | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Ukraine used a newly delivered Patriot air-defense system to intercept the most sophisticated missile in Russia’s arsenal for the first time over Kyiv this week, the Ukrainian Air Force said on Saturday. It was the first time Ukraine said that its military had used the advanced American-made missile system, long coveted by the Ukrainians. Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk, the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, said that the Patriot system was used to shoot down a hypersonic Kinzhal missile fired by Russia over the capital on Thursday. “I congratulate the Ukrainian people on a historic event,” General Oleshchuk said in a statement posted on the Telegram messaging app. “Yes, we have shot down the ‘unparalleled’ ‘Kinzhal.’”There was no immediate confirmation from Ukraine’s Western allies, including the United States, of the use of the Patriot or whether it had hit a hypersonic missile.

CNN —Ukraine says it has for the first time used a US-made Patriot air defense system to intercept a Russian hypersonic missile. Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, said on Telegram Saturday: “Yes, we have intercepted the ‘unmatched’ Kinzhal,’” adding the word “Patriot” and an emoji of the Ukrainian flag. Ukraine has received at least two Patriot systems, one from the United States and one from Germany, to enhance its air defenses, which have previously been unable to intercept more modern Russian missiles such as the Kinzhal. “Building a multi-level air and missile defense system as soon as possible is our priority,” he declared. Patriot systems create a capability that did not exist before – to defeat ballistic targets.”

☆ Ukraine says it used a US-made Patriot system to shot down a Russian hypersonic missile for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine reportedly shot down a Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missile for the first time. One of the photos shows a nose cone that strongly resembles the one used in the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile, the outlet noted. A shot of a Patriot missile battery firing an interceptor in a US Army test. The Patriot missile defense system is a ground-based interceptor able to eliminate airborne threats. The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile was introduced in 2017 as one of Russia's "super weapons."

Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said the Kh-47 Kinzhal had been shot down on Thursday night over the region outside Kyiv. The Air Force said it had been taken down by a U.S. Patriot air defence system. Ukraine said the missile was fired during a drone attack on Kyiv and other cities in the early hours of Thursday. Ukraine's Air Force was previously seen as unable to shoot down ballistic missiles, which Russia used to strike residential areas and Ukraine's power infrastructure. The Air Force on Saturday said it shot down eight Shahed drones launched by Russia on the eastern and south-east Ukrainian regions in an overnight attack.

☆ Former F-16 pilot says he would not want to fly missions over Ukraine right now, arguing 'there is no fighting chance'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Ukraine has repeatedly asked the US for fourth-generation fighter jets like the F-16. A former F-16 pilot said these jets don't have a fighting chance given Russia's air defense systems. One former F-16 pilot told Insider he wouldn't want to attempt to fly missions over Ukraine right now, asserting that the aircraft can't outmatch Russia's air defense systems. Fourth-generation fighters "have no business in a modern-day battlefield," John Venable, a 25-year veteran of the US Air Force, told Insider in a recent interview. F-16 fighters would likely be outmatched by Russian air defense systemsThe airspace above Ukraine remains contested after 14 months of war.

Rescuers carry a covered body as they work at the site of a heavily damaged residential building hit by a Russian missile in the town of Uman on Friday. Her voice cracked as she told CNN how the strikes had shaken the small community and left her feeling terrified. Local residents told CNN that there hadn’t been a strike of this scale on the city since March last year. Burnt-out cars lie in front of a destroyed residential building in Uman. Yevhenii Zavhorodnii/Global Images Ukraine/Getty ImagesAerial view of a destroyed residential building.

☆ Ukraine's fight to fend off Russia's superior air force hinges on its surface-to-air missiles, expert says, but leaked top secret documents show it may be running out
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Russia's air force has an edge over Ukraine's aircraft, requiring Ukraine to rely on other capabilities. Fighting off Russia's air force is dependent on Ukraine's surface-to-air missiles, a new report says. One document in particular that was obtained and reviewed by Insider details Ukraine's air defense capabilities and the risks it faces. Soldiers of the German Armed Forces stand on a trailer with launching pads for guided missiles of the Patriot air defense system on a snow-covered field in southeastern Poland. "Our beautiful Ukrainian sky becomes more secure because Patriot air defense systems have arrived in Ukraine," Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said last week.

☆ Poor training and outdated equipment left Russia's air force unable to help much in the invasion of Ukraine, study finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia's air force has struggled to exploit air superiority over Ukraine since the start of the war. Pilots lack basic training to fly at low altitudes and sophisticated weapons, the report said. The report, published this week, outlines the strengths and weaknesses of Russia's air force in Ukraine based on a series of interviews with intelligence services, military experts, and Ukrainian air force commanders. The Russian air force has lacked success since the start of its invasion mostly due to the resilience of Ukraine's ground-to-air defense systems. "We need to do everything that we can to get Ukraine as much air defense capability as we possibly can."

☆ Russia is using a new delivery of Iran's Shahed drones to strike Ukraine to make up for a lack of precision munitions, reports say
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( Isobel Van Hagen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia used Iranian Shahed exploding drones to strike Ukraine, an ISW report said. It is aiming to "offset the degradation" of its precision munition supply, the think tank said. The Russian military used drones to target Kyiv for the first time in 25 days. Iran is becoming a global leader in the production of deadly and effective drones, the Guardian reported in February, despite the country previously denying involvement in Ukraine. Iran's Shahed-136, and its smaller cousin, the Shahed-131, which Russia is also using, are loitering munitions that are a cross between a drone and a missile.

☆ Russian jets are dropping bombs rejigged with guidance systems that are delivering 'devastating hits' upon Ukrainian lines, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia is modifying regular bombs to have guidance systems, a report says. The regular bombs appear to be being converted to smart ones using UMPK (unified module for gliding and guidance) systems, according to Illia Ponomarenko of the Kyiv Independent. Ponomarenko wrote that the upgraded guided or gliding bombs pose "an especially serious threat to Ukraine" that can "deliver devastating hits upon Ukrainian lines and the rear front." In order to combat the Russian bombardment, Ukraine needs to defend against the jets using air defense systems such as the S-300. Germany this week approved Poland's request to transfer five MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine.

☆ Ukraine servicemen accused of treason over unauthorised mission
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KYIV, April 20 (Reuters) - A number of Ukrainian servicemen have been accused of treason for giving away information during an unauthorised mission that enabled Russia to attack a military airfield, Ukraine's SBU security agency said on Thursday. The SBU said in a statement that the servicemen had attempted, "without coordination with the relevant state authorities", to seize a Russian plane last July after its pilot said he would defect. The SBU did not say how many service personnel were involved, or identify them, but said they were accused of treason and abuse of their position. "These actions of individual servicemen, which led to serious consequences, death and injury of Ukraine's defenders and harmed the country's defence capabilities, require an appropriate legal assessment." Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February last year, did not comment on the SBU statement.

☆ A weird flash lit up the sky over Kyiv. NASA denied it was a falling satellite, and experts still can't confirm what caused it.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Marianne Guenot | Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A blinding flash of light over Kyiv on Wednesday remains unexplained. Ukraine officials had originally blamed a satellite NASA that was falling back down to Earth. The flash lit up the sky minutes before the air raid alarm was triggered in the city, causing concern among residents. Popko suggested that the flash had been caused by a satellite NASA had said was due to plummet back to Earth, per the BBC. But US officials and experts have denied the satellites' implication in the Kyiv flash.

☆ Flash of light above Kyiv sparks buzz about falling satellite, aliens
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

April 19 (Reuters) - The night sky above wartime Kyiv was lit up by a flash of light on Wednesday, social media channels said, prompting speculation that a crashing satellite or even aliens might be responsible. Four short video clips posted to a Telegram channel by journalist and blogger Anatolii Sharii showed the sky suddenly illuminated by a bright light. The Kyiv city military administration, citing what it called preliminary information, said it was a crashing NASA satellite. The Ukrainian air force, responsible for trying to down missiles and drones fired by Russia, said a satellite or a meteorite could be responsible. "Please do not use official air force symbols to create memes for the enemy to enjoy!"

☆ Russia is equipping simple bombs with guidance systems, turning them into cheap substitutes for expensive cruise missiles
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia is modifying regular bombs to have guidance systems, a report says. They are a cheap and effective substitute for expensive guided missiles, which Russia's stock of is low. The regular bombs appear to be being converted to smart ones using UMPK (unified module for gliding and guidance) systems, according to Illia Ponomarenko of the Kyiv Independent. By comparison, a single Kalibr cruise missile, which Russia had been using widely in its invasion of Ukraine, is worth nearly $6.5 million. In order to combat the Russian bombardment, Ukraine needs to defend against the jets using air defense systems such as the S-300.

☆ Ukraine awaits US missile system after latest Russian strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The entrance to the Recknitztal barracks, home of the anti-aircraft missile group 24, on the left a mobile launch pad of the Patriot air defense system. The delivery of the Patriot air defense system promised by the U.S. was expected in Ukraine sometime after Easter, Ukrainian air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said. Germany and the Netherlands also have pledged to provide a Patriot system each to Ukraine. Separately, a 48-year-old woman and her 28-year-old daughter died Saturday after Russian forces shelled a neighborhood of the city of Kherson, the regional administration said on Telegram. The southern port city was occupied by Russian forces in the early months of the war, but Ukrainian forces regained control of it in November, one of the most notable battlefield defeats for Moscow.

☆ Russian jamming may have hamstrung a US-made bomb kit being used in Ukraine, leaked documents say
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Leaked Pentagon documents highlighted concerns about the Joint Direct Attack Munition weapon. The American-made bomb kit used by Ukraine may have been hamstrung by Russian jammers. One document in particular highlights concerns about US-made bomb kits which have been sent to Ukraine in recent months. One factor is the bomb fuses aren't arming at their release, which Ukraine's air force has worked to fix. Photo by Metin Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty ImagesThe Pentagon documents first became public last week and circulated through social media platforms like Discord, Twitter, and Telegram.

☆ Putin may be preparing to bring Russia's prized bomber jets to the war on Ukraine after leaked military intelligence found Ukrainian air power will 'be completely reduced' by June, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Intelligence documents were leaked this week, revealing American and NATO plans in the Ukraine war. The New York Times reported the documents said current Ukraine air power will be depleted by summer. Facing a weakened air force, Russia may be emboldened to bring out bomber jets it has reserved from combat. At the current rate of use, the leaked documents say, Ukrainian air defenses will "be completely reduced" by May 23, The New York Times reported. Fighting against a weakened Ukrainian air force, increased Russian firepower could change the course of the war.

☆ Russian fighter jets are reportedly ambushing Ukrainian pilots in sneak attacks. Fending them off would require F-16s, pilot says, which the US previously said 'won't help them.'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russian fighter jets are ambushing Ukrainians in sneak attacks, an official told The Telegraph. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the White House to send F-16 jets to fight back. The Biden administration has so far refused to send F-16 fighters and MQ-9 drones to Ukraine. They will send up a Russian jet alone, tricking the Ukrainian pilot into thinking there is only one jet. Kahl added that the subject was discussed by President Joe Biden and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during Biden's visit to Kyiv on February 20.

☆ Ukraine says Russian forces make progress in frontline city of Bakhmut
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Pavel Polityuk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"Enemy forces had a degree of success in their actions aimed at storming the city of Bakhmut," the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said in its regular nighttime report. Russian officials say their forces are still capturing ground in street-by-street fighting inside Bakhmut. [1/5] A tank is towed through a road, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, near the bombed-out eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, in the eastern Donetsk region, Ukraine, March 29, 2023. Russian forces shelled towns in central Zaporizhzhia region, including the contested centre of Hulyaipole, the Ukrainian general staff statement said. Rocket and artillery in the past 24 hours struck two areas of concentration of Russian forces, an ammunition depot and two fuel depots, it said.

☆ Russia Fires Armed Drones Across Ukraine, Killing Three in School Dormitory
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Jared Malsin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Russia launched a new wave of missiles and armed drones into Ukraine early Wednesday, killing three people in a school dormitory in the Kyiv region and injuring at least 10 others, Ukrainian officials said. Ukraine’s air defenses shot down 16 out of 21 drones launched by Russia, the Ukrainian air force said, identifying the aircraft as Iranian-made Shaheds. Iran began supplying Russia with the drones last year, deepening a military alliance between the two countries and helping Moscow’s forces for a time to bypass Ukrainian air defenses.

☆ Fighter jets are 'worthless' over Ukraine, and it's a sign of what US pilots and troops may face in future battles
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

As a result, neither side is able to provide close air support to its troops on the front line. US pilots and ground troops may face a similar situation in future wars, US Air Force leaders say. They're not doing a whole lot because they can't go over and do close air support," Hecker said. "Close air support in a contested environment, that's not what we do, no matter who you are," Brown added. William GreerSince taking over as the top Air Force officer in August 2020, Brown has stressed that future battlefields will be more complex and deadly for the Air Force.

☆ Ukrainian pilots are calling the US Air Force for tips on using US-made missiles and bombs
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Members of the US Air National Guard have been providing advice for using US-made weaponry. Despite US support, Ukraine's air force is still at a disadvantage against Russia's larger force. Ukraine's air force still faces a tough operating environment. A California Air National Guard officer discusses exercise Safe Skies with his Ukrainian counterparts in July 2011. Ukrainian Air Force via Twitter"We've just got them some precision munitions that have some extended range and go a little bit further than a gravity-dropped bomb," Hecker added.

☆ Ukrainian pilot pair in Arizona to fly military simulators -US officials
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( Mike Stone | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, March 4 (Reuters) - Two Ukrainian pilots are in Arizona to fly flight simulators and be evaluated by the U.S. military, two U.S. officials said on Saturday, as Washington remains mute on whether it will send fighter jets or sophisticated remotely piloted drones to Kyiv. "This event allows us to better help Ukrainian pilots become more effective pilots and better advise them on how to develop their own capabilities," the defense official said. Other allies have also conducted similar events in the past, the defense official said. The defense official did not say how long the Ukrainians had been in the Southwestern state. Training on military equipment, both for its use and maintenance, has been a leading indicator of a potential transfer.

☆ Russia's air force is struggling to hit targets in Ukraine, but its missiles can still keep Ukraine's jets at bay
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-26 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

However, more potent air-to-air missiles are helping Russian jets keep Ukrainian aircraft at bay. However, a potent mix of air-to-air missiles — some of which out-range their Ukrainian counterparts — have helped keep Ukrainian aircraft at bay. The Kh-38 is a Soviet concept dating back to the 1980s, but the Russian air force never procured them "in anything like operationally useful numbers," Barrie said. Russian air-to-air missiles have been "effective in limiting the Ukrainians ability to use their own air force," Barrie said. For now, the only blessing for Ukraine is that Russia doesn't have a lot of these long-range air-to-air missiles.

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