'American Patriots' Hit From 125 Km Away? Russia Claims Missile Strike On US-Made Air Defence System

News world 'American Patriots' Hit From 125 Km Away? Russia Claims Missile Strike On US-Made Air Defence System

'American Patriots' Hit From 125 Km Away? Russia Claims Missile Strike On US-Made Air Defence System

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Last Updated: August 24, 2026, 16:36 IST

Russia claims a Su-35 fighter jet struck components of a US-made Patriot air-defence system in Ukraine with a Kh-31PM missile fired from around 125 km away.

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Russian fighter jets fire missiles during a military exercise. The image is being used with a report on Russia's claim that a Su-35 fighter jet struck components of a US-made Patriot air-defence system in Ukraine, as a representative image. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE)

Russia on Sunday claimed that its Su-35 fighter jet struck components of a US-made Patriot air-defence system in Ukraine using an anti-radiation missile fired from around 125 km away, in a reported strike that comes as Kyiv faces a growing shortage of Patriot interceptors.

According to Military Watch Magazine, Russian sources released footage showing a Su-35 firing a Kh-31PM anti-radiation missile at what they identified as components of a Ukrainian Patriot system.

The footage shows the launch and the reported launch distance, but does not independently establish that a Patriot system was destroyed.

Su-35S firing Kh-31PM anti-radiation missile at the Patriot SAM. According to the target range cue, the missile was fired from ~125 km. Due to the dynamic launch zone, minimum launch range is ~55 km. There is no mark showing maximum launch range, so it can be 200 km or above. pic.twitter.com/q6DZ6r4alr— Flanker (@Su_35S_Flanker) August 21, 2026

Aviation publication MiGFlug said Russian sources claimed the missile targeted a Ukrainian air-defence radar and that some accounts identified it as part of a Patriot battery, while noting that Ukraine has not confirmed the strike.

How The Kh-31PM Hunts Air Defences

The Kh-31PM is an anti-radiation missile, meaning it is designed to detect and home in on electromagnetic emissions from enemy radar systems. A radar that is actively scanning for incoming threats can also reveal its location to a weapon specifically designed to hunt its emissions.

Why A Patriot Is A High-Value Target

The reported target is significant because the MIM-104 Patriot is among Ukraine’s most important air-defence systems, particularly for countering ballistic missiles.

The alleged strike comes at a difficult time for Ukraine, which is struggling to maintain supplies of Patriot interceptors as Russia continues its missile and drone attacks.

A recent Wall Street Journal report highlighted the dwindling supply of Patriot missiles available to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has continued to press the US and other allies for more Patriot interceptors.

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Key Questions Answered Powered by Ask News18 How will Ukraine replace its dwindling Patriot missile supply? Ukraine is seeking to replace its dwindling Patriot missile supply through accelerated deliveries of French equipment and missiles, and potentially through licensed production of Patriot interceptor missiles in Ukraine, a move supported by US President Donald Trump. What are the capabilities of Russia's Kh-31PM missile? The Kh-31PM is an anti-radiation missile. Powered by Ask News18

About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a chief sub editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has ... Read More

Location : Moscow, Russia

First Published: August 24, 2026, 16:36 IST

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