Russia’s hypersonic missiles have been “exposed as frauds” by one military expert.
Over the New Year period, Russia ramped up its strikes on Ukrainian cities, demolishing buildings in key locations such as the capital Kyiv.
While many Ukrainians were killed and cities damaged, Kyiv’s forces were able to shoot down 114 of 158 drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles that were fired by Russia.
Then, on January 2, Ukraine shot down 107 of 134 Russian drones and missiles.
Ukraine also managed to take out all ten of Russia’s Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.
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Putin once declared this weapon to be “invincible” during a 2018 speech, adding that the Kinzhal is one of six Russian “super weapons” that cannot be stopped.
Writing in the Telegraph, military expert David Axe said Putin’s weapons have been “exposed” as “frauds.”
He added: “The failure of the Kinzhal has cast doubt over the whole class of hypersonic missiles.”
As the fighting in Ukraine continues, Kyiv’s forces struck another blow to Russia’s military on Thursday.
A Ukrainian saboteur was filmed blowing up a Russian fighter jet more than 1,000 miles behind Russian lines.
Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) shared the video from the Shagol airfield in Chelyabinsk, where the Russian jet was destroyed.
Russia has also accused Ukraine of launching a new attack on the city of Belgorod, close to the border with Ukraine.
Moscow claims drones and missiles were used by Ukrainian forces, with 600 residents having to be evacuated because of unexploded munitions.
Regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said 323 houses within a 500-metre radius were emptied.
He added that several villages were targeted, knocking out power lines in the process.
Belgorod has seen a number of low-level attacks since the war began in February 2022.
Russia claims 25 people were killed in the city on Saturday, while one more person was killed along with seven injuries on Wednesday.
Western allies have insisted that Ukraine must not use the weapons it receives to strike inside Russia.
