Russian Defense Ministry Says Its Iskanders Destroy Two Patriot Launchers in Ukraine

 Smoke rises after recent Russian air strikes, in the town of Toretsk, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near a front line in Donetsk region, Ukraine July 3, 2024. (Reuters)
Smoke rises after recent Russian air strikes, in the town of Toretsk, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near a front line in Donetsk region, Ukraine July 3, 2024. (Reuters)
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Russian Defense Ministry Says Its Iskanders Destroy Two Patriot Launchers in Ukraine

 Smoke rises after recent Russian air strikes, in the town of Toretsk, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near a front line in Donetsk region, Ukraine July 3, 2024. (Reuters)
Smoke rises after recent Russian air strikes, in the town of Toretsk, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near a front line in Donetsk region, Ukraine July 3, 2024. (Reuters)

Russian Iskander ballistic missiles destroyed two launchers for Patriot surface-to-air missiles systems in Ukraine's Odesa region, the Russian defense ministry said on Sunday.

The attack took place in the area of the port of Yuzhne, the ministry said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app, adding that a radar station was also destroyed.

It was not clear when the attack on the Patriot launchers took place. A video released on Telegram by the ministry shows daylight explosions on uninhabited land near a coastline, after zooming onto difficult to identify objects.

Reuters could not independently verify the Russian report. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Earlier on Sunday, Ukraine's air force said that Russia attacked Ukraine with two Iskander ballistic missiles, but it did not provide further detail.



Israeli PM Netanyahu Appoints New Ambassador to United States

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem, on June 4, 2023. (AFP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem, on June 4, 2023. (AFP)
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Israeli PM Netanyahu Appoints New Ambassador to United States

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem, on June 4, 2023. (AFP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chairs a cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem, on June 4, 2023. (AFP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed US-born Yechiel Leiter, an official who previously served as chief of staff in the finance ministry, as the next Israeli ambassador to the United States.

"Yechiel Leiter is a highly capable diplomat, an eloquent speaker, and possesses a deep understanding of American culture and politics," Netanyahu said in a statement, Reuters reported.

His appointment was also welcomed by Yisrael Ganz, the head of the Yesha Council, an umbrella organization representing councils of Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a territory Palestinians want as part of a future state.

Ganz said Leiter, who lives in the Gush Etzion settlement area, as "a key partner in English-language advocacy for Judea and Samaria", a name used by many Israelis for the West Bank, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.

Leiter's appointment came three days after Donald Trump's election to a second term as US president, celebrated by many Israelis because of his strong support for Israel.

As well as serving in the finance ministry, Leiter also held positions as deputy director general in the Education Ministry and acting chairman of the Israel Ports Company. His son was killed last year in the Gaza war while serving with the Israeli military.