Recent reports indicate a significant escalation in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with Russian forces launching targeted strikes against Ukrainian air defense systems. A Ukrainian Mi-29 fighter was shot down near Pokrovsk, marking a notable loss for Ukraine. Furthermore, the Russian Ministry of Defense has published footage showcasing the destruction of Ukrainian S-300 air defense missile launchers and at least two M901 launching stations from an MIM-104 system, utilizing the Iskander short-range ballistic missile. Additionally, there are claims, supported by video evidence, of the destruction of two US-made Patriot surface-to-air missile systems near Sergeevka, marking the first known loss of such systems in the conflict. The total cost of the destroyed Patriot systems is reported to be around $800 million, with each system valued at $400m. These developments, highlighted by the phrase 'Patriot DOWN', underscore a concerning depletion of Ukrainian air defense capabilities.
π€ Foreign media report destruction of two Ukrainian Patriot systems https://t.co/RA9tcRsWcY
Dramatic moment Russians 'destroys two $400m US-made Patriot surface-to-air missile systems in one hypersonic Iskander strike' in costly blow to Ukraine https://t.co/zDHKY3mtCB https://t.co/t3zZC7C075
A Russian Iskander ballistic missile has annihilated a Ukrainian S-300 air defense system, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported https://t.co/DWCta2lOG9
Russian sources widely circulated footage of a Russian strike on March 9 to claim that Russian forces destroyed a Patriot air defense system in eastern Ukraine, although there has yet to be any confirmation of these claims. (1/3) https://t.co/OwlHkKtkpk https://t.co/jIqSrWtbuW
Russian Iskander missile destroys Ukrainian S-300 Follow us on Rumble: https://t.co/Nuc9nUzTc5 https://t.co/7fv9cvFmbg
PATRIOT DOWN: @WarVehicle posts this video of two Patriot launch modules said to be destroyed by a RU Iskander ballistic missile near Sergeevka, UKR. The Patriot system uses dispersed components to limit battle damage. This is the 1st known loss of a Patriot launch system. https://t.co/ckasXNKxzY
The Russian Ministry of Defense has released Footage showing a Iskander Ballistic Missile Strike on a Ukrainian Air Defense Convoy near the City of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk Region; with the Strike appearing to Destroy at least 2 M901 Launching Stations from one of the MIM-104β¦ https://t.co/7cZBBEU56N
Ukrainian S-300 air-defense battery devastated by a Russian strike in Pokrovsk Air-defense is disappearing in Ukraine https://t.co/WgWIPiRsEp
π·πΊπΊπ¦β‘ The Russian Ministry of Defense publishes footage of the destruction of the S-300 air defense missile launchers of the Ukrainian army using the Iskander short-range ballistic missile. https://t.co/qDUcbNSbzU
Ukrainian Mi-29 fighter shot down near Pokrovsk https://t.co/7LRjtIuxuT