[Goose]

Hopefully they weren't using Patriots (I suspect mostly not because they don't have many) because they're 3 million a pop!

Yes, that can get expensive fast. The Patriot batteries do have several choices of what missiles to use (assuming the US supplied all the variants, which I think is probable). Some are more expensive than others. Like you, I expect Ukraine will use their Patriot batteries only when "necessary", in particular against KH-22/KH-32 family. The S-300 apparently won't "lock up" on these high speed targets. Ukraine also may be using the radar of the Patriot system to hand off targets to other systems that won't acquire in time otherwise. The newer NASAMS can network with the Patriot batteries to get earlier warning of missiles they cannot yet detect because of geometry. This allows using "cheaper" missiles when appropriate. The NASAMS acquisition radar need not even be on, the initial and mid-course steering can come from the Patriot via data link as I understand it. Unfortunately Ukraine only has 2 NASAMS ATM, and I am not sure they are "new enough" to have the network capability. They also may be spread across the country so it is not applicable.

Using the Patriot radar that way is a mixed blessing because it exposes the Patriots location more easily. It may be Ukraine figures the Russians will find it anyway if it emits at all and is worth the risk. They then have to move more often and defend the Patriot itself more aggressively, but maybe that is better that than the alternatives.

[Goose]

Hopefully they weren't using Patriots (I suspect mostly not because they don't have many) because they're 3 million a pop!

Yes, that can get expensive fast. The Patriot batteries do have several choices of what missiles to use (assuming the US supplied all the variants, which I think is probable). Some are more expensive than others. Like you, I expect Ukraine will use their Patriot batteries only when "necessary", in particular against KH-22/KH-32 family. The S-300 apparently won't "lock up" on these high speed targets. Ukraine also may be using the radar of the Patriot system to hand off targets to other systems that won't acquire in time otherwise. The newer NASAMS can network with the Patriot batteries to get earlier warning of missiles they cannot yet detect because of geometry. This allows using "cheaper" missiles when appropriate. The NASAMS acquisition radar need not even be on, the initial and mid-course steering can come from the Patriot via data link as I understand it. Unfortunately Ukraine only has 2 NASAMS ATM, and I am not sure they are "new enough" to have the network capability. They also may be spread across the country so it is not applicable.

Using the Patriot radar that way is a mixed blessing because it exposes the Patriots location more easily. It may be Ukraine figures the Russians will find it anyway if it emits at all and is worth the risk. They then have to move more often and defend the Patriot itself more aggressively, but maybe that is better that than the alternatives.