Russian Kinzhal Missiles Shot Down by Ukrainian Air Defenses Near Polish Border

Russia launched hypersonic missiles toward Lviv on February 11, but Ukrainian air defense successfully intercepted the weapons before they reached their targets, according to multiple Ukrainian officials and media outlets.

Mayor Andrii Sadovyi reported via Telegram that the missiles were part of an attack involving MiG-31K aircraft, which took off from the Savasleyka airbase in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region. He confirmed that two Kinzhal missiles were detected en route to Lviv and were “neutralized” by Ukraine’s air defense systems.

According to Ukraine’s Air Force, the missiles were Kh-47M2 Kinzhal—an air-launched ballistic weapon with high speed and an irregular flight path, making it difficult to intercept. The launch occurred around 14:40 local time and triggered a nationwide air raid alert, BBC News Ukraine reported.

Following the interception, local authorities confirmed that missile debris landed in parts of Lviv, including near Zamarsynivska Street and V. Chornovola Avenue. The Lviv City Council announced temporary road closures in the affected area as emergency services worked to clear the scene. No casualties or structural damage were reported at the time of publication.

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War in Ukraine

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The Kinzhal system has been used by Russian forces in past strikes on Ukraine, often as part of broader missile-and-drone attacks.

Its hypersonic characteristics mean it can only be intercepted by advanced air defense systems such as the US-supplied Patriot or the European SAMP/T. While Ukrainian officials did not specify which system was used in this case, the interception suggests one or both platforms may now be active in the Lviv region.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Night Watch unit reportedly used its Lima electronic warfare system to disrupt Kinzhal hypersonic missiles by jamming their satellite navigation, forcing them to rely on less accurate guidance. Some missiles missed their targets, while operators symbolically played “Our Father Is Bandera” through the static.

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