Russia has modernized its ballistic missiles used to strike Ukraine, making it more difficult for the Patriot missile defense systems to intercept them, according to the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, Yuriy Ihnat.
“We and our partners have information that the enemy’s missiles flying a ballistic trajectory - specifically the Iskander-M - have been improved and modernized,” Ihnat said during a national telethon.
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He revealed that each missile can now release radar decoys during its final approach to the target, confusing defensive systems.
“It is about shooting down radar traps that each missile can release during the approach to the target,” he said.
Following the upgrades, Patriot missiles - capable of intercepting ballistic targets - may not operate as effectively, Ihnat warned.
“Another factor is the quasi-ballistic trajectory. The missile doesn’t fly in a straight path but performs maneuvers. That makes it more difficult for the Patriot system, which is designed to calculate an interception point, to predict where to strike,” he said.
Still, Ihnat stressed that while the upgrades complicate interception, they do not make it impossible.
“I think our partners are working on this, so that these systems will also be improved accordingly,” he added.
The update comes after one of the most massive missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, which took place late on May 23 and into the early hours of May 24.
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According to Air Force, Russia launched 14 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and 250 strike drones across Ukraine. Ukrainian air defenses downed six missiles and destroyed 245 drones.
Nine of those ballistic missiles targeted Kyiv, Ihnat said. Fragments from intercepted air targets fell across six districts of the capital. The worst damage was recorded in Solomyanskyi, Svyatoshynskyi, and Obolonskyi districts. At least 14 people were injured, according to preliminary reports.
The head of the Kyiv City Military Administration (KMVA), Timur Tkachenko, said via Telegram that damage of varying severity had been recorded in nine residential buildings.
“A lot of broken windows. Also, 26 cars were damaged in three districts. In addition, power lines were damaged in the Solomyanskyi district,” he wrote.
Social infrastructure was also hit: two schools (in Dniprovskyi and Obolonskyi districts), a polyclinic in Podilskyi, and a Ukrposhta branch and boiler room in Solomyanskyi district were all damaged.
“There are also new reports of the discovery of fragments of downed enemy missiles and drones. If you see elements that could be parts of Russian weapons, call 101 immediately,” Tkachenko added.
Emergency crews are currently clearing debris and broken glass from the affected sites. “We are now urgently tightening the broken windows,” he said.
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