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According to a statement by the Russian Defense Ministry released via Telegram on May 22, the strike obliterated key components of the Patriot system, including an AN/MPQ-65 multifunctional radar, a fire control center, and two launchers. The attack was captured on video and widely circulated online, underscoring the vulnerability of even top-tier Western-supplied weapons in the conflict.

Patriot System Under Fire

The Patriot missile system, often dubbed the “Fire Dragon” by Ukrainian troops for its high-performance capabilities, is one of the most advanced air defense platforms in the world. Each unit can cost over $1 billion, and Ukraine has received several systems and components from the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and Spain since the war escalated.

The loss of a Patriot system is not only financially significant—it also underscores the limits of Western military support. In March, Germany’s Defense Ministry admitted it had exhausted its capacity to send additional Patriot units from its own stockpiles.

West Struggling to Sustain Supply

During a recent Senate hearing, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio emphasized the shortage of available Patriot batteries. “To be honest, we don’t have any,” Rubio stated. “We are working closely with our NATO allies. There are some who could potentially transfer Patriot systems to Ukraine, but none of them want to give theirs up. We simply can’t manufacture them fast enough.”

This bottleneck highlights a growing challenge for NATO: how to continue arming Ukraine without weakening their own defenses.

Video: Russian Iskander-M Obliterates Ukraine's Patriot 'Fire Dragon' in Dnepropetrovsk
The moment Ukraine's Patriot "fire dragon" was attacked

Russia: Western Weapons Won’t Change the Outcome

Moscow has repeatedly asserted that Western-supplied weapons will not alter the trajectory of the war. Russian officials argue that such aid only serves to prolong the conflict and increase the risk of direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.

Kremlin spokespersons have also issued stern warnings about the consequences of shipping more advanced systems into the conflict zone, hinting that such actions edge the world closer to a broader, more dangerous escalation.

Conclusion

The destruction of a Patriot air defense system by Russia’s Iskander-M missile is a stark reminder of the war’s high-tech battlefield and the stakes involved for all parties. As Western support continues to flow into Ukraine, the question remains: how long can the supply chain hold—and at what geopolitical cost?

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