Russia announced today that it destroyed two launchers from the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system. in the Ukrainian Odesa region. At the same time, the Ukrainian authorities claim that mock-ups designed to attract expensive enemy missiles were hit, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the strike was carried out near the Black Sea port of Yuzhne, adding that a radar was also destroyed. It is reported that "Iskander-M" ballistic missiles were used for the strikes.
Commenting on the videos of the strike that appeared on social networks, on Saturday evening the commander of the Air Force of Ukraine Mykola Oleshchuk said on the social network "Telegram" that Russia had hit Ukrainian models of the "Patriot" systems.
Reuters reports that it has not been able to independently confirm the claims of either side.
Ukraine has previously demonstrated cheap decoy mock-ups designed to look like the multimillion-dollar Western air defense systems and missile launchers that Moscow has made its primary targets.
Oleschuk added that Russia on Wednesday also hit decoy planes in a missile attack on a Ukrainian military airport. “Thanks to everyone who helps with quality models of aircraft and air defense systems. Now the enemy has fewer "Iskander" missiles, and we will bring more decoys, he declared.
Video clip published in “Telegram” from the Russian Ministry of Defense, shows explosions along a coastline, then zooms in to identify the objects.