US defense tool halts Russian missiles in Kyiv

Ukrainian air defenses, bolstered by the recently deployed, U.S.-built Patriot batteries, shot down a savage barrage of Russian missiles targeting Kyiv early Tuesday.

Hi, it's Julius with an update on Russia-Ukraine.

Ukraine's air defenses downed Russia's six hypersonic "Kinzhal" missiles launched from MiG jets, nine cruise missiles from ships in the Black Sea and three land-based S-400 cruise missiles, said Valerii Zaluzhnyi, commander in chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces. The system also shot down six Iranian-made "kamikaze drones" and three reconnaissance drones.

"Another unbelievable success for the Ukrainian Air Forces!" tweeted Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov. "Russian terrorists have no chance of prevailing over Ukraine. Their weapons can and should be countered by Western ones."

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said a Patriot missile battery was destroyed by a Kinzhal missile. Ukraine officials declined to address the claim.

Russia launched its latest attack around 3:30 a.m., the Air Force said. Debris from the destruction caused some damage and started fires. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said three people were injured in Solomianskyi district, where debris ignited a fire that damaged four buses and a garage.

More on the Ukraine-Russia crisis:

• The leader of Russia's mercenary force in the Bakhmut region said a former U.S. Army Special Forces soldier from Boise, Idaho, has died in the city. The State Department released a statement saying U.S. officials are aware of the reports and are seeking additional information.
• Ukrainian forces claim to have recaptured almost 8 square miles of territory in fierce battles north and south of Bakhmut since last week, but officials say Russian troops continue to make gains within the nearly abandoned city.
• Ukraine Marine commander Kostyantyn Bezsmertny has been charged with treason, accused of persuading 277 soldiers to surrender to Russian troops as prisoners of war, Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation said.