This from a gentleman named Walt Fullam:

Some could respond, "but look how well Ukraine is doing!” But the response to such a statement should be, what is the likelihood that this story is accurate? How was the feat accomplished? Were the Russian cruise missiles supposedly shot down by Patriot systems as implied? It seems a stretch that Patriots were used to down cruise missiles. So if not Patriots, then what did shoot them down?

That attack used hypersonic missiles, which repeatedly have been touted by Russian President Vladimir Putin as providing a key strategic advantage. The missiles, which are among the most advanced weapons in Russia's arsenal, are difficult to detect and intercept because of their hypersonic speed and maneuverability.

But sophisticated Western air defense systems, including American-made Patriot missiles, have helped spare Kyiv from the kind of destruction witnessed along the main front line in the country’s east and south.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/05/18/russia-fires-30-cruise-missiles-ukrainian-targets-ukraine-says-29-were-shot-down.html


To answer my own question, it seems unlikely given what we know about the overall effectiveness of Patriot missile systems. Reminds me in a way of the over stated claims of the effectiveness of US strategic bombing in the early days of WW II.

https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-patriot-missile-system-explainer-b16125509161de8a7a3b4c38022534c7

Nikki Grace adds:

The Russian say they used less than 6. They claim destruction of Patriot. So the missiles were destroyed by hitting the Ukrainian ground and taking out the platform. In any case the mission of the Russians was being accomplished by taking out the air defense. They may do another raid to taking out any more air defense. Then the battlefield is wide open. I watch Colonel McGregor videos for his analysis and go to foreign press for information on the SMO

Posted by: Timothy Birdnow at 09:10 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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