RAINING FIRE
Putin ‘blows up US Patriot missile system’ protecting Kyiv as vid shows sky filled with rockets in ‘merciless’ blitz
DRAMATIC footage shows a $1.1billion US Patriot missile system filling the sky with rockets as it protects Kyiv from an unprecedented Russian blitz - before appearing to be blown up.
Vladimir Putin reportedly targeted the advanced air defence battery during Russia's latest "merciless" attack on the Ukrainian capital overnight.
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War-hungry Putin is said to have ordered the unprecedented missile strikes in a tantrum in response to the UK sending "game changer" Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine.
The latest influx of supplies for the battlefield enraged the President, with his spokesman vowing there would be an "adequate response".
And he appears to have gone straight for the jugular by destroying Kyiv's crucial surface-to-air missile defence system.
The Patriot - which stands for Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target - is alleged to have been destroyed in the latest bombardment.
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It has proved an essential piece of kit for Ukrainian fighters to intercept missiles and shoot down Russian "kamikaze" drones.
The system boasts a powerful radar, a control station, a power generator, launch stations and other support vehicles.
It costs a whopping $1.1billion - $400million for the system and $690million for the missiles in a battery - but it granted Ukraine a priceless advantage when defending itself against air attacks.
Each missile fired from the Patriot costs around $4million - and footage showed dozens were launched last night alone.
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It means Ukraine has racked up a hefty bill in its attempt to protect Kyiv.
Shocking video appeared to capture the moment a US-supplied Patriot SAM system exhausted its defensive supply as they battled against a barrage of incoming rockets and drones.
Several missiles can be seen hurtling towards the site before a huge explosion erupts, reportedly destroying the Patriot system.
The claims were published on the Russian Telegram channel Military Informer. There is currently no official confirmation.
The post read: "There are many videos from Kyiv showing the extremely dense batteries of the American MIM-104 Patriot SAM, and as soon as the SAM runs out of missiles, there is a powerful explosion at the location from which the launches were made."
The Patriot is viewed as a vital addition to Kyiv's arsenal due to its ability to withstand Russian aerial aggression.
Reports claimed it recently successfully downed an "unstoppable"; Russian Kinzhal - or Dagger - hypersonic missile for the first time.
It marked a historic moment in the war as Ukrainian army leaders were unsure whether the Patriot could take down that kind of powerful missile.
Russia is believed to have intended to blow up the American-made artillery with the missile, but the plan seemingly backfired.
It is feared Ukraine's defence of the capital could crumble if the indispensable mobile air-defence system was knocked out.
'STAY IN SHELTERS'
The latest onslaught directed at Kyiv was branded "senseless and merciless" by pro-Russian war blogger Anatoly Shariy.
City official Serhiy Popko said the nighttime barrage that swept in from the north, south and east had been "exceptional in its density".
He said: "The maximum number of rockets were fired at the city in the shortest period of time.
"This time, the enemy carried out a complex attack in different directions simultaneously with the use of UAVs, cruise missiles and, probably, ballistic missiles.
"According to preliminary information, the vast majority of enemy targets in the airspace of Kyiv were detected and destroyed."
General Valerii Zaluzhny, head of Ukraine's armed forces, said Russia attacked Kyiv three directions using 18 air, sea and land-based missiles.
He claimed all 18 were downed, including six 7,000mph Kinzhals - which Russia has boasted cannot be stopped by any defences in the world.
At least three people were reportedly hurt as residents were warned of falling debris.
The Solomyansky district, where Kyiv's international airport is based, is said to have been the hardest hit.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko said rocket debris had fallen in central districts, including on the city's zoo, but no animals or workers were injured.
He urged Ukrainians in a message on Telegram: "Stay in shelters!"
The relentless blitz led to a fire breaking out in a non-residential building in the district, which has since been extinguished.
RUSSIA'S FURY
It was the eighth huge air attack on Kyiv since the beginning of May - and the most intense.
Horror pictures show devastated buildings, cars, buildings and infrastructure as explosions erupted across the city.
The attacks came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky returned to Kyiv after a four-country tour in Europe with Britain as his final stop.
He secured pledges for even more air-defence systems, attack drones and armoured vehicles from allies.
Moscow is enraged by the British supply of missiles, but Putin’s spokesman said it would "not affect" the course of the war.
However, he warned it would "lead to retaliatory actions by the Russian Federation".
Russian forces claimed to have downed one of the British-supplied Storm Shadow long-range missiles, but the US National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said: "I cannot confirm those reports."
Russian ambassador Andrei Kelin claimed the UK-supplied weapons were being used by Ukraine to target civilians in the Donbas.
But Britain is understood to have received assurances that the missiles would only be used within Ukraine.
Ukraine has been asking for months for long-range missiles, but support provided by Britain and other allies such as the United States has previously been limited to shorter-range weapons.
The world is awaiting Kyiv's highly anticipated counter-offensive - with suggestions they could launch a major operation and even push into Crimea.
Brave soldiers have been holding back the much-larger Russian army as the war devolved over the winter into a bloody stalemate.
Ukraine's hero president Volodymyr Zelensky however said they need more time to prepare before they strike back.
Russia invaded Ukraine last February - a conflict which has devolved into a grinding, brutal war.
It is claimed nearly 200,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in Putin's botched invasion.
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And millions of Ukrainian civilians have endured untold misery as the Russians stole their homes and left cities devastated.
Despite the bloodshed, Kyiv is still standing strong against the Russians with backing from the West.
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