Expert casts doubt over Russia's Su‑34 Kinzhal missile claims
According to the Ukrainian agency Unian, the Russians have claimed that they used the Su-34 front-line bomber to launch the Kinzhal missile for the first time. However, aviation expert Konstantyn Krywolap, in an interview with the Ukrainian Telegraf, stated that this is implausible.
The Russians announced that, for the first time in combat conditions, the Su-34 bomber launched a Kinzhal missile towards Ukraine. Aviation expert Konstantyn Krywolap, during his conversation with Telegraf, expressed doubts about the feasibility of such an operation. He noted the missile's size, making it impossible to mount on the Su-34.
The expert doubts whether the Russians told the truth about the Su-34
Krywolap emphasised that the Kinzhal missile has a diameter of about 1.2 metres, while the space between the Su-34's nacelles is approximately 2.1 metres. The expert points out that this space cannot accommodate the Kinzhal missile. Notably, the Kinzhal's wings could touch the ground, making installation impossible.
The expert also noted that to launch a Kinzhal effectively, the aircraft must reach a speed of 3,000 kilometres per hour. Meanwhile, the Su-34, even at high altitudes, does not exceed speeds of around 1,850-1,900 kilometres per hour. This is another argument against the Russians' claims.
"If it's still possible with FAB, it's impossible with the Kinzhal. Firstly, the wings would not fit in the nacelle, and secondly, they would touch the ground," Krywolap said about the missile, emphasising that its dimensions are too large to be used with the Su-34.
Russian Kinzhals
Even though the combat value of Kinzhal missiles has been questioned since the beginning of the war, they remain a significant challenge to Ukraine's air defence. The Kinzhal is characterised by a length of approximately 7 metres and weighing about 4,500 kilograms. Its speed is said to reach 10 Mach, although more realistic estimates suggest a speed of about 8 Mach, translating to nearly 9,800 kilometres per hour. For this reason, this missile is considered one of the most dangerous weapons in Russia's arsenal.
