A warhead of state-of-the-art Russian Kh-69 missile is neutralized in Kyiv

6 May, 2024 The Kh-69 missile in Kyiv. Beginning of May 2024. Photo credits: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

A state-of-the-art Russian K-69 cruise missile was discovered in Kyiv, which fell in the middle of the forest. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported on this and released the relevant photos. The enemy missile did not explode and posed no danger.

It is not yet officially known what caused the missile to fall. A passerby noticed a part of the missile sticking out of the ground in a forest in the Holosiivskyi district of Kyiv. He reported his discovery to the necessary services.

A Kh-69 missile in Kyiv.

Early May 2024. Photo credits: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Sappers of the Interregional Rapid Response Center of the State Emergency Service arrived at the scene and removed the warhead of the Kh-69 missile. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine noted that it had taken longer than usual for the specialists to remove and transport the warhead of the cruise missile to the detonation site.

This is likely due to security concerns, as this is the state-of-the-art weapon of the Russian Federation, which has recently been increasingly used by the Russian invaders to strike at the territory of Ukraine.

Removal of the Kh-69 missile warhead. Kyiv, early May, 2024. Photo credits: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

In particular, the Russians used the latest Kh-69 cruise missile to strike the Trypilska power station in April this year.

This isn't the first time this missile has been used to target Ukrainian infrastructure. Debris from previous rocket strikes has been analyzed by specialists at the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise (KSRIFE).

First of all, the experts will examine the materials of the missile body, as well as a specific foil placed under the outer skin of the warhead.

The wreckage of the Kh-69 missile. Photo credits: KSRIFE

The marking on the missile's body indicated it was manufactured at the end of 2023.

Kh-69

The Kh-69 missile, originally unveiled as the Kh-59MK2 during its first public presentation in 2009, is currently under development and production at the Raduga Design Bureau facilities. Kh-59MK2 was very similar to the previous Kh-59MK anti-ship missile.

The main difference was the guidance system: the active radar homing was replaced by an inertial navigation system combined with GPS/GLONASS and a Digital Scene Matching Area Correlator (DSMAC) for approaching to the target.

Illustrative image of Kh-69. Images from open sources

In 2015, the Kh-59MK2 was completely redesigned using stealth elements. In fact, only the guidance system remained unchanged.

The body now has a box trapezoidal section adapted for placement in the inner compartment of the Su-57, although there is a possibility of suspension on the outer pylons.

The manufacturer states the missile can be used with Su-30MK, Su-34, Su-35S, MiG-35S and MiG-29K.