Russia Claims Kyiv Embassy Missile Was U.S.-Made Patriot, Not Russian Iskander
Kyiv, Ukraine – November 15, 2025 – Russia’s Defense Ministry asserted today that the missile which struck the Azerbaijani Embassy in Kyiv on November 14, 2025, was a U.S.-supplied Patriot air defense missile,and not a Russian Iskander missile as initially suggested by Ukrainian officials. The claim, made in a statement released by the ministry, escalates tensions surrounding the incident which resulted in at least one fatality and sparked condemnation from Azerbaijan.
The accusation comes amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine and heightened scrutiny of international arms supplies. If verified, Russia’s assertion could significantly alter the narrative surrounding the strike, potentially shifting blame and raising questions about the safety of Western-provided weaponry in the conflict zone. The incident has already strained relations between Kyiv and Baku, with Azerbaijan demanding an investigation into what it called a “provocation.”
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, analysis of debris recovered from the site indicates characteristics consistent with a Patriot missile system. They allege the missile was launched in response to a Russian drone attack and went astray, ultimately impacting the embassy. Ukrainian officials have not yet responded directly to the Russian claim, but have previously maintained that Russia is solely responsible for all attacks on Ukrainian territory and infrastructure.
The Azerbaijani Embassy in Kyiv sustained damage in the strike, and a Pakistani national working as a security guard was killed.Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to demand answers and a thorough investigation. The incident underscores the risks of collateral damage in the ongoing war and the potential for miscalculation in a highly volatile habitat.
