Patriot Systems For Kiev Not Effective Against Russian Cruise Missiles, Drones - Kirby

 Patriot systems for Ukraine will not be effective against Russian cruise missiles and drones, US National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said on Thursday.

"The Patriot missile system is really designed to go after ballistic missiles. It is not as effective on cruise missiles, and it certainly cannot be effective against drones," Kirby told CNN.

He added that Ukraine's capabilities to fight hypersonic missiles are "limited."

"Hypersonic missiles are generally very, very difficult to counter, and it would not surprise me that Ukrainian air defenses are limited in their ability to go after hypersonic missiles," he said.

At the same time, Kirby pointed out that the Ukrainians have done a "remarkable job" with various tools and capabilities in terms of air defense.