US says Patriot defense system operational after being hit by Russian strike in Ukraine

By Kasım Ileri

WASHINGTON (AA) - A US official said Wednesday that the Patriot air defense system that suffered a Russian strike in Ukraine is still operational but slightly damaged.

The official who spoke on the condition of anonymity told Anadolu that the system had some damage, one day after Russia claimed it hit a US-made air defense system in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv with a Kinzhal hypersonic missile during overnight airstrikes.

"It was not destroyed. It is still operational to my understanding," said the official.

Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said May 10 that the Ukrainian army shot down a Russian Kinjal hypersonic missile with a Patriot missile.

*Servet Gunerigok contributed to the story