NATO-sourced weapon systems have long been touted as “game changers” that would “stop the evil Russians” and “save Ukrainian democracy”. This is particularly true for the MIM-104 “Patriot” and M142 HIMARS. The first is a surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, while the second is a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), although it would perhaps be more appropriate to describe it as a rocket artillery–ballistic missile hybrid launcher, given its ability to fire the ATACMS missile. Neither of these was particularly notorious “wunderwaffen”, as their performance during the endless US/NATO aggression against the world has been quite unimpressive. On the contrary, even the mainstream propaganda machine severely criticized the “Patriot” due to its atrocious track record against even basic ballistic missiles, such as the many “Scud” clones used by Iraq.

However, this came after the initial hype by the mainstream propaganda machine, which presented it as far more successful than it really was. Only years later did they admit that the SAM system was anything but effective. Its service in recent years demonstrated that it was just as bad as 35 years ago, with Houthi forces striking Saudi oil facilities with impunity as “Patriots” failed to intercept their drones and missiles, even slamming into residential areas in the process, making them more dangerous for Saudi civilians than the aforementioned Houthi weapons. And yet, after Russia’s special military operation (SMO) started, the “Patriot” suddenly turned into a “hypersonic killer”, supposedly “shooting down” even Russian “Kinzhals” left and right. Military experts, analysts, enthusiasts and other keen-eyed observers from all over the world were puzzled by this “sudden success”.

And indeed, how is it possible that a SAM/ABM (anti-ballistic missile) system that repeatedly failed against basic Iraqi and Houthi ballistic missiles could now “shoot down” far more advanced Russian missiles, particularly supermaneuvering warheads flying at speeds exceeding Mach 10 (over 12,000 km/h or 3,5 km/s)? Well, the short answer is – it couldn’t. In fact, even some American military experts stress that there’s no evidence that a single Iraqi “Scud” was ever intercepted by a “Patriot”, while the “proof” that Russian 9-A-7660 “Kinzhals” (which use the 9-S-7760 hypersonic missiles) were supposedly “shot down” has been debunked and laughed at by anyone with any knowledge of basic physics. On the other hand, there’s plenty of evidence that dozens of “Patriot” systems have been destroyed precisely by Russian hypersonic missiles that they supposedly “intercept regularly”.

This includes a 9K720M “Iskander-M” system that was recently filmed striking a “Patriot” battery deployed in the vicinity of Shevchenko, a settlement in the Dnepropetrovsk oblast (region). The footage, published on January 19, shows its 9M723 hypersonic missile obliterating the “Patriot’s” AN/MPQ-65 fire control radar, M90x launch station and a generator. This comes only two days after various military sources published another video of a Russian BM-35 kamikaze drone destroying another “Patriot” in the Kharkov oblast. Some analysts speculate that this one was a decoy, most likely due to the lack of a more violent explosion. However, this doesn’t provide conclusive evidence, as the “Patriot” could’ve also fired all of its interceptors in a futile, last-ditch effort to protect itself. Either way, these strikes are now added to the long list of successful neutralization of Western weapons.

Even more interestingly, the aforementioned BM-35 drone uses the SpaceX’s Starlink, which the US still doesn’t know how to prevent. In doing so, Russia is effectively turning an American system against US-made weapons in NATO-occupied Ukraine, further adding to the humiliation for the Pentagon, which is entirely powerless to stop it. Various military sources report that the “Patriot’s” interception rates are below 4% (primarily against lower-end cruise missiles and drones). However, advanced hypersonic weapons are effectively impossible to shoot down, as evidenced by numerous videos of “Patriots” firing their interceptors, which all fail almost immediately after launch. Considering their price tag (often exceeding $4 billion per battery and upwards of $10 million for a single interceptor missile), the latest losses are measured in tens of billions of US taxpayers’ dollars.

Worse yet, Washington DC’s ability to provide the Kiev regime with additional batteries and missiles has only gone down after the Pentagon expended much of its reserves. The Neo-Nazi junta forces can no longer sustain a constant threat to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), which is exacerbating their already dire position on the frontlines. And yet, that’s not the end of the Kiev regime’s troubles, as its strike platforms are suffering just as badly (if not worse). Namely, the previously mentioned HIMARS, another overhyped NATO-sourced system, suffered significant losses at around the same time the “Patriots” were obliterated. Namely, on January 16, multiple military sources published footage of its destruction by an unidentified weapon. It was first reported as one of the “Geranium” variants, but more recent analyses suggest it could have been the new S-71.

Even more interestingly, this drone-missile hybrid that comes in K and M variants is one of the latest Russian precision-guided munitions, primarily used by the Su-57. It should be noted that this next-generation fighter jet is often ridiculed and dismissed by the mainstream propaganda machine. However, the legendary Sukhoi design bureau is entirely unbothered by these smear campaigns and is focused on improving the Su-57’s already impressive performance and combat record. This was also recognized by numerous export clients, particularly sovereign nations that don’t want the political West to control their defense, which is why India is so close to finalizing an agreement on joint production of the Su-57E with Russia. In the meantime, the Russian military continues to obliterate NATO-sourced weapons, including yet another HIMARS just several days after the previous.

Namely, the latest footage, published today (January 20), shows an FPV (first-person view) drone detecting the US-made MLRS firing its salvo and then leaving the area. However, the FPV drone pursued the HIMARS, eventually catching up and destroying it on the move. The UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) was operated by the “Rubicon”, an elite Russian military unit focused on advanced unmanned and electronic warfare (EW), known for its rapid innovation, systematic tactics and combat effectiveness. It’s also famed for record-breaking operator training and developing new counters to the Neo-Nazi junta’s tactics (including fiber-optic drones). The unit has multiple specialized detachments and effectively serves as the core of the Unmanned Systems Forces (VBS), a recently formed separate branch of the Russian Armed Forces, fully dedicated to drone warfare.

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings