Defence Intelligence of Ukraine: Russia has at least 585 missiles at disposal
28 August, 2023 The Kh-55 cruise missile next to the Tu-95MS strategic bomber. Photo from open sources Russia has at least 585 cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 500 kilometers or more at its disposal.
Deputy Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Major General Vadym Skibitsky told RBC-Ukraine. According to him, the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine is closely monitoring everything related to the production and stockpiling of missiles in Russia. "If we are talking about Iskander ballistic and cruise missiles, according to our data, there are about 270 of them now.
The Kalibr stockpile is about 140 missiles. They have fewer Kh-101s, while the total number of Kh-101s, Kh-555s and Kh-55s with warheads is about 100 missiles, according to our estimates," Skibitsky said. The representative of the Defence Intelligence also said that the Russian Federation might also have about 75 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles in its stockpile.
Modified MiG-31K interceptor (tail number "92 red") with a Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile.
2018. Photo credits: Russian media
Skibitsky noted that the use of Kh-101 cruise missiles by Russian strategic aviation had been minimized in comparison to last year's pace. "According to the plan, the Russians can produce about 40 Kh-101 missiles per month, but we already know that these plans are not being fulfilled.
This is primarily due to a shortage of foreign parts. The second factor is that Russia is trying to accumulate stockpiles of these missiles, which are considered more accurate and effective when compared, for example, to the Kh-555, Kh-22 cruise missiles or even Kalibr missiles, which we successfully shoot down," explained Skibitsky.
The launch of the Kh-101 cruise missile from the Tu-160 aircraft. Frame from the video of the Russian Ministry of Defense
The Kh-101 cruise missile remains one of the most advanced weapons in the arsenal of the Russian Armed Forces today.
It is designed with the use of stealth technologies to increase the ability to penetrate enemy air defense systems. An important advantage of the Kh-101 is the use of a sophisticated guidance system that includes an inertial system with satellite signal correction, a system for visual verification of the flight path via an optical channel with a predefined map, and guidance on the final flight segment via a radar or television channel. This set of systems allows the missile to reliably hit targets at a distance of several thousand kilometers with a possible circular deviation of 7 meters, according to the manufacturer.
For the purpose of increasing the chances of a breakthrough of Ukrainian air defense, the Russians may also use "decoys" in the form of cruise missiles with inert warheads. For example, at the end of last year, Russia began using outdated Kh-55 missiles designed to deliver nuclear warheads with a massive warhead to distract Ukrainian air defense systems and discharge their ammunition. After they are shot down, according to the idea, the Russians fly other combat-ready missiles into the open "gaps."
Colonel Mykola Danyliuk demonstrates a fragment of an Kh-55SM missile warhead.
Photo credits: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine