Air Force explains why none of Kh-22 missiles has been destroyed yet
"None of Kh-22 cruise missiles was destroyed. At all. Not only today. Because these are missiles that can be shot down by such systems as Patriot which today destroy ballistic missiles, Kinzhal missiles. Kh-22 missile, although it is considered a cruise missile, is supersonic, it flies about 4,000 kilometers per hour and reaches a target mainly along a ballistic trajectory. Therefore, such missiles cannot be shot down by conventional means of air defense," Ihnat said during the United News nationwide telethon.
He added that Donetsk region was attacked today with the missiles launched from Tu-22M3 aircraft.
"Six aircraft, four missiles launched. And out 24 cruise missiles launched today both from the sea and from the air, 16 were destroyed," the Air Force spokesman added.
As reported, around 04:00 on August 15, 2023, the Russian invaders attacked Ukraine with air- and sea-launched missiles. In total, at least 28 cruise missiles of various types were launched: four Kh-22 cruise missiles – from six Tu-22M3 long-range aircraft (airfields based in Soltsy, Shaykovka); 20 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles from 11 strategic aviation aircraft (Engels, Olenegorsk airfields); four Kalibr cruise missiles from a frigate from the Black Sea (Yalta area).
Forces and means of the Air Force in cooperation with units of other components of the Defense Forces destroyed 16 Kh-101/Kh-555, Kalibr cruise missiles. In addition, eight enemy S-300, S-400 anti-aircraft guided missiles were launched on Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.
