Russia denies Ukraine shot down six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles

Moscow, May 17 (EFE).- Russia has denied Ukrainian claims that its anti-aircraft defense system shot down six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, as reported by the Ukrainian authorities.

“I have already said it before and I will repeat it again: we have not launched as many Kinzhal missiles as they allegedly shoot down in their statements every time,” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a statement.

He said the number of “Ukrainian interceptions…exceeds our launches by three times.”

“And they mistake the type of missiles all the time. That’s why they don’t hit them,” the Russian defense minister said.

According to Russia, the nuclear-capable hypersonic missile has a range of more than 2,000 km (1,200 miles).

It is capable of reaching a speed of up to Mach 10 (12,250 km/h or 7,612 mph) while also performing evasive maneuvers, which helps the Kinzhal to be virtually invulnerable to enemy air missile defense systems.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Tuesday claimed that his forces downed all Russian missiles, including six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, launched overnight.

“We were told that these missiles are guaranteed death because they are impossible to shoot down,” said Zelenskyy.

He thanked the Ukrainian armed forces and countries that support Kyiv by sending weapons and training their soldiers. EFE

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