The Starstreak high-speed missile system was delivered to Ukraine from Britain in March along with a further mission of next-generation light anti-tank weapons (NLAW). A Starstreak attack on a Russian aircraft in the Luhansk region recorded by a camera has been verified, the Times reported. A Defense Ministry source told the newspaper that the video showed Starstreak being launched over Ukraine. The source added that the anti-aircraft system was used by the Ukrainian forces for almost a week. Senior defense industry sources who examined the film also believe it was a Starstreak, the Times reported. The Independent has asked the Department of Defense to confirm the report. The Starstreak system is made by Thales. The company describes the missiles as “designed to provide close air defenses against conventional air threats, such as fixed-wing fighters and slow-revealing helicopter targets.” The British military has said the Starstreak is a “highly capable air defense weapon” that is highly effective against helicopters. Starstreak travels at more than three times the speed of sound. It can be mounted on the shoulder, attached to a vehicle or fired by a ground launcher. The shoulder-mounted variety was sent to Ukraine, which the military said allowed the field to grow faster. The United Kingdom has supplied Starstreaks, NLAW and Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine. More than 4,000 NLAWs have been sent and there have been several reports that the Ukrainian army is using them to destroy Russian tanks.
