Strike could wipe out 10% of Ukraine's Patriot launchers

Russian missile strikes in Donetsk may have destroyed 10% of Patriot air defense system launchers, creating a gap that is difficult to fill for Ukraine.

On March 9, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that it used Iskander tactical ballistic missiles to launch precision strikes against Ukrainian air defense complexes near the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk province.

The Russian military claimed to have hit a Ukrainian S-300PS long-range air defense system, destroying three ammunition carriers and launchers, a fire control radar and two escort vehicles. However, subsequent images of the scene showed at least two vehicles believed to be M901 launchers of the Patriot missile system mounted on German-made MAN KAT1 tractor-trailers.

Ukrainian Patriot launcher explodes after Russian attack — The moment a Ukrainian air defense convoy was hit by a Russian missile in a video released on March 9. Video: *Russian Ministry of Defense*

Ukrainian officials have not commented on the information, but some Western military experts say this is the first time clear images have appeared showing Russia destroying part of an enemy Patriot system.

"Ukrainian soldiers parked two Patriot launchers less than 10 meters apart, just 40-50 kilometers from the front line. They stayed there long enough for Russia to launch missiles and destroy the entire convoy. There are no words to describe the incident," said Julian Roepcke, a German journalist who specializes in monitoring the situation in Ukraine.

Ukraine has received a total of three Patriot systems, including two from Germany and one from the US, along with four individual launchers. The West has not announced the number of weapons transferred, but each Patriot system can be equipped with four to eight launchers.

"Two Patriot launchers exploded on the spot, and the Ukrainian missile crew was almost certainly killed. This catastrophic attack wiped out 7-13% of all Patriot launchers in the Ukrainian military's inventory," wrote David Axe on Forbes .

Launchers destroyed in Russian attack on March 9. Photo: Zvezda — Launchers destroyed in Russian attack on March 9. Photo: *Zvezda*

Experts say the Patriot air defense system can shoot down Iskander missiles, but only if they are deployed and on standby, not on the move. The attack also shows that the Russian military has significantly shortened the time it takes to carry out the "kill chain" of reconnaissance, target detection and attack.

The Ukrainian convoy was spotted by a Russian reconnaissance drone as it stopped on the road, apparently taking a break on its way to a new battlefield. This was a golden moment for Russia to launch an attack, as stationary targets are easier to target than moving assets, but it also required smooth and quick coordination between the UAV crew, the command post, and the Iskander missile battery to not miss the opportunity.

The attack was also the latest example of Ukraine’s frontline air defenses being stretched, with the convoy unprotected, allowing Russian drones to track it from end to end. “It’s possible that Ukraine’s air defenses are being stretched to defend urban areas and ground forces. There have been a lot of gaps in the defense recently,” Axe said.

On March 6, the Russian Ministry of Defense released a video of an Iskander missile destroying a HIMARS rocket launcher, while at least one launcher and AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel guidance radar of the NASAMS complex were also hit by rocket launchers and Russian UAVs in late February and early March.

Ukraine demands investigation into HIMARS artillery attack by Russia

"Ukraine's already stretched air defense network will face even more difficulties after losing two Patriot launchers. It will also be difficult for the country to make up for the loss in the near future," Axe warned.

Raytheon, the US company that makes the Patriot system, is currently fielding a flood of foreign orders. Ukraine or its Western allies could spend millions of dollars to buy two new launchers, but they would have to wait months or years.

Germany, the Netherlands or a NATO member country could withdraw Patriot launchers from their inventory to aid Ukraine, but this is unlikely to happen in the near future.

"The quickest option is to seek assistance from the manufacturing country, the United States, but the US Congress has been blocking military aid packages to Ukraine for months. Each Patriot launcher destroyed in Ukraine will deepen the gap in their air defense that is very difficult to fill," Axe said.

Vu Anh (According to Forbes, RIA Novosti )

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