Russia potentially deploys advanced Ch‑69 missile for the first time in Ukraine

Initially, it was uncertain which missile the Russian Federation army deployed. The preliminary examination of rocket wreckage recovered in Ukraine suggested that it was a Ch-59. However, this identification error arose because the newer Ch-69 essentially represents a significant modernisation of those above "fifty-ninth".

The difference between them includes, among other things, the platform from which both missiles can be launched. The Ch-59 can be launched from Su-35S aircraft, while the Ch-69 was designed to be carried in the internal chamber of the Su-57 aircraft. This raises suspicions that the Russians may have begun testing new fifth-generation Su-57 fighters.

As a reminder, the Ch-69 missile is considered the Russian counterpart to the American AGM-158 JASSM missiles, which, according to recent reports, will go to Ukraine along with F-16 fighters. Generally, the Ch-69 distinguishes itself from its prototype, the Ch-59, due to a modified aircraft body. Moreover, the new design is lighter in weight and can attack ground targets irrespective of weather conditions and time of day (including at night).

The Ch-69 measures 4.2 metres in length and 0.4 metres in diameter with a 2.5-metre wingspan. It weighs approximately 770 kilograms, with about 300 kilograms attributed to the warhead. Its propulsion is supplied by one NPO Saturn TRDD-50 MT turbojet engine.

A prominent feature of this modern yet secretive weapon, hidden for several years, is its fire-and-forget guidance system. It is structured based on inertial and GLONASS satellite navigation and a fire control system. Thus, the Ch-69 can attack targets with high precision, estimated at 3 metres.

Launched from a minimum altitude of 200 metres and a maximum of 11,000 metres, the missile accelerates to subsonic speed and reaches targets up to 550 kilometres away. The manufacturer can equip the Ch-69 with a fragmentation or cassette warhead.