Military

Russia Says It Has Destroyed Ukrainian Anti Aircraft Missile System Near Kyiv

These images allegedly show a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile system being destroyed in a Russian missile strike.

The Russian drone footage starts with the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) filming the target on the ground, which appears to be easily detectable, as it is located in what looks like a field.

It then suddenly explodes in a large ball of fire, with smoke rising into the air. The area of impact is so large that the UAV camera has to zoom out to capture the whole explosion.

Objective monitoring of the destruction of the Buk anti-aircraft missile system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by high-precision missile weapons in the Kyiv region. (@mod.mil.rus/Newsflash)

Newsflash obtained the footage from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Saturday, 26th March. The MoD claimed (in Russian) that the footage showed “the destruction of a Buk anti-aircraft missile system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by high-precision missile weapons in the Kyiv region.”

Buk missile systems were originally designed by the Soviet Union to defend against enemy aircraft, incoming missiles and UAVs. The latest iterations are built by Russia.

The Russian MoD said that the “missile strike was carried out by the Iskander operational-tactical complex”.

Iskander missiles are also made by Russia. The mobile, short-range ballistic missile system can carry different types of armaments and are intended for deployment in the field of operations.

Objective monitoring of the destruction of the Buk anti-aircraft missile system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by high-precision missile weapons in the Kyiv region. (@mod.mil.rus/Newsflash)

They added that “the strike was controlled by an unmanned aerial vehicle. The air defence system was destroyed by an accurate hit on the target”.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he would be willing to consider his country adopting a neutral status, adding that maintaining sovereignty and territorial integrity remained top priorities.

France, Greece and Turkey are attempting to negotiate the rescue of over 170,000 civilians who are trapped in Mariupol, which is currently being besieged by Russian forces and where there are said to be shortages of food and water, with unconfirmed reports saying that people have started to die of starvation and dehydration there.

There are also new fears regarding the nuclear reactor in Chernobyl, with Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk demanding that the United Nations’ Security Council immediately demilitarise the area and claiming on Sunday that Russian forces are threatening “not only Ukraine but also hundreds of millions of Europeans” by taking large quantities of old and poorly maintained artillery to the area.

Objective monitoring of the destruction of the Buk anti-aircraft missile system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by high-precision missile weapons in the Kyiv region. (@mod.mil.rus/Newsflash)

NATO, the G7, and the European Union all met last week for emergency summits. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said: “We need to do more, and therefore we need to invest more.”

He added: “We are the strongest alliance in the world. And as long as we stand together, we are also safe.”

The 30 NATO members all agreed to increase the presence of the alliance’s military forces in Eastern Europe and the Baltic states. They “agreed to reset NATO’s longer term deterrence and defence posture across all domains, land, sea, air, cyber and space”, according to NATO.

US President Joe Biden rallied support for Ukraine at a landmark speech given in Warsaw, Poland, during which he quoted Pope John Paul II, saying: “Never, ever give up hope, never doubt, never tire, never become discouraged. Be not afraid.”

Objective monitoring of the destruction of the Buk anti-aircraft missile system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by high-precision missile weapons in the Kyiv region. (@mod.mil.rus/Newsflash)

He also said: “A dictator bent on rebuilding an empire will never erase a people’s love for liberty. Brutality will never grind down their will to be free. Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia – for free people refuse to live in a world of hopelessness and darkness.”

And then he caused controversy by saying: “For God’s sake, this man cannot remain in power.” This was interpreted by many as a call for Vladimir Putin to be removed from office. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was quick to state that the White House was not actively seeking regime change in Moscow.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who has kept communication lines with Moscow open in a bid to broker a ceasefire, also distanced himself from the remarks, as did UK Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi on behalf of the UK government.

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