Update on the conflict in Ukraine for May 17, 2023:

- Russia’s Ministry of Defense and US officials confirm Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missiles successfully targeted US-made Patriot air defense systems;

- Patriot systems launched approximately 30 missiles over 2 minutes, representing tens of millions of dollars of missiles that were already in short supply;

- Despite this, the Western media continues repeating obvious fabrications about Ukraine intercepting “all” incoming missiles and drones. The Patriot system falling victim to a Kinzhal missile despite firing upward to 30 missiles calls into question Ukraine’s previous claims of intercepting a Kinzhal days earlier;

- As Ukraine burns through Western weapons and ammunition, the West continues preparing to transfer other weapon systems including warplanes;

- European nations are preparing a “coalition” to purchase and provide F-16 fighters to Ukraine;

- F-16 warplanes have no specific capability beyond the aircraft that made up Ukraine’s original air force which is now mostly destroyed;

References:

TASS - Russia hits US-made Patriot air defense system in Kiev with Kinzhal hypersonic weapon (May 16, 2023):

https://tass.com/defense/1618257

BBC - Ukraine war: Kyiv says it shot down Russian hypersonic missiles (May 17, 2023):

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65606385

CNN - US assessing potential damage of Patriot missile defense system following Russian attack near Kyiv (May 16, 2023):

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/16/politics/patriot-missile-damage-ukraine/index.html

Lockheed Martin - New Lockheed Martin Facility To Support Increased PAC-3 Production (October 2022):

https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2022-10-04-new-lockheed-martin-facility-to-support-increased-pac-3-production

Guardian - UK and Netherlands agree ‘international coalition’ to help Ukraine procure F-16 jets (May 16, 2023):

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/16/uk-and-netherlands-agree-international-coalition-to-help-ukraine-with-f-16-jets

Politico - The end of Ukraine aid is rapidly approaching. Reupping it won’t be easy (May 5, 2023):

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/15/ukraine-aid-is-drying-up-and-the-white-house-is-under-pressure-to-send-more-00096767

The Atlantic - The Case for Increasing Aid to Ukraine (May 116, 2023):

https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2023/05/the-case-for-increasing-aid-to-ukraine/674077/