 The Ukrainian military has used the Patriot air defense system to shoot down a Russian bomber, revealed in a comment to CNN by unnamed representatives of the Pentagon and US Congress. As noted, the Russian plane targeted by Patriot was going to launch missiles at Ukrainian targets. Other air defense systems that are in service with Ukraine do not have sufficient range for this kind of task. US officials said the Ukrainians personally decide how to use Patriot to defend themselves. Patriot is considered one of the most sophisticated US air defense systems used against air targets, including aircraft, crews and ballistic missiles. It usually includes launchers along with radars and other aids.