Russian forces mistakenly down their own missile in friendly fire incident
Russian air defence systems were reportedly involved in shooting down a Ukrainian drone during an attack on Sunday, March 31. However, further examinations at the site where the supposed drone was thought to have fallen revealed that the Russians hadn't shot down an enemy drone but, instead, one of their own Ch-101 missiles, a weapon whose capabilities are notable.
The Military Portal noted that last Sunday, Russia targeted Ukraine with various missiles, including 14 Ch-101/Ch-555 missiles launched by Tu-95MS bombers from the Saratov region. It was discovered that the Russian air defence accidentally shot down one of these missiles after it was launched towards Ukraine.
Originally, there was no mention of friendly fire – early reports suggested that the Russians had intercepted a Ukrainian drone. However, residents in the Saratov region, where the incident took place, found evidence in a field which confirmed that the Russian Federation's military had mistakenly shot down its own missile – the wreckage found was indeed that of a Ch-101 missile, intended for a target in Ukraine. Such friendly fire incidents have also included a Russian kamikaze drone, Zala Kub-BLA, and a high-value Su-35 aircraft shot down by Russian forces.
Russians shot down their own Ch-101 missile
The Ch-101 missile in the Saratov region represents one of the latest models in the aggressor's arsenal, having been in mass production since 2010-2011. It is also among the most frequently used in attacks on Ukraine.
The Ch-101, designed as a stealth weapon that is challenging to detect, features a flattened fuselage of about 7.3 metres and weighs approximately 2.2 tons (about 4800 pounds). This weapon can reach speeds up to 1000 km/h. Its noteworthy characteristic includes an impressive range of about 4500 kilometres.
Over such considerable distances, the missile can carry a warhead weighing up to 480 kilograms, showcasing its significant offensive capabilities. Also critical for the missile's effectiveness is the occasional use of the Otblesk-U guidance module, which aims to improve the Ch-101's accuracy for more precise strikes.
