Ukraine's Patriot and Bradley Thwart Russian S-400 and Armored Assault

Ukraine's U.S.-made Patriot successfully repelled a missile strike from the Russian S-400 air defense system, while the M2A2 'Bradley' infantry fighting vehicle annihilated a column of Russian light armored vehicles.

In the Bryansk region near Klintsi, Russia, the S-400 launched a destructive missile strike on Kyiv, marking the most extensive use of ballistic weapons in Ukrainian cities. The Research Center for Trophy and Prospective Weapons and Military Equipment, affiliated with the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, provided this information via ArmiaInform.

The S-400's guided missiles travel at approximately 1300 m/s, covering the required distance in under 2 minutes. Despite the rapid events, the Ukrainian Air Defense Forces successfully detected and eliminated the air target. However, the swift pace sometimes caused delays in the air alert signal, unable to keep up with the unfolding action.

The settlement in question is about 45 km from Ukraine's border, while the S-400's 48N6 missiles can reach Kyiv from around 280 km away. Placing the S-400 closer to Ukraine's border increases vulnerability but requires appropriate long-range weaponry.

The Ukrainian authorities claim that all Russian missiles fired on December 13 were intercepted, with damage and casualties resulting from exploding shrapnel.

Economic considerations reveal that intercepting ten S-400 missiles with Patriot PAC-3 could cost up to $60 million, while a HIMARS salvo could eliminate an entire S-400 system for about $1.33 million.

In a separate incident, a Ukrainian M2A2 'Bradley' destroyed a column of Russian light armored vehicles near Avdiivka. Aerial drone footage depicted the Bradley neutralizing a convoy of three Russian MT-LB armored personnel carriers in the Stepove region.

Manufactured by BAE Systems, the Bradley is a tracked armored vehicle capable of transporting up to 10 soldiers, armed with a 25mm chain gun and anti-tank guided missiles. Despite the U.S. Army's possession of approximately 2,400 Bradleys, Ukraine has received only a few dozen from the United States, as the vehicle undergoes replacement.