Russia's missile strategy: Gathering for autumn airstrikes
The Russian Federation's Army is persistently gathering resources for air strikes, reports the Ukrainian agency Unian. Igor Romanenko, a former deputy chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, warns that the aggressor may now be preparing weapons for a mass strike. It is known what the Russians are anticipating.
The equipment currently in Russia's arsenal is the subject of interest for many experts. Therefore, it is not surprising that instances where the Russian Federation somewhat pauses its attacks towards Ukraine are causing a stir.
Moscow has halted attacks. They may be preparing for autumn and winter
Recently, Ukrainian military officer Igor Romanenko noted on Ukrainian channel TSN that Moscow has not carried out mass shelling towards the defenders' country for some time. "In recent times, we have not seen the mass use of missile weapons. Russians are gathering weapons. They may be preparing for the cooler autumn days to more effectively impact the moral and psychological state of Ukrainian citizens," Romanenko said.
The military officer points out that the strike slowdown may result from a particular tactic of the Russian Federation and the current problems facing the local arms industry. The former deputy chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine explains that due to the conflict in Iran and reports of damage in this region to the Iranian facilities producing ballistic missiles and drones, Russia must rely on its reserves and factories.
In the context of the weapons that the Russian Federation uses for strikes on Ukraine, one that attracts significant attention is the Kh-101 missile – one of the newest additions. Additionally, the Kinzhal Kh-47M2 missiles hold considerable value for Moscow. Although these missiles differ significantly from each other, they pose a genuine threat to the defenders' country.
Valuable Russian missiles
The Kinzhal Kh-47M2 is an advanced missile characterised by impressive technical parameters. It is approximately 7 metres long, with a diameter of 1 metre, and its mass is roughly 4,500 kilograms. Although the maximum speed of the missile is estimated at 10 Mach, more realistic assessments indicate the capability to reach speeds of about 8 Mach, which is approximately 9,800 km/h.
The most significant advantage of the Kinzhal is its ability to perform complex manoeuvres during flight. This capability makes intercepting the missile significantly more challenging, rendering it one of the most agile hypersonic weapon systems. The option of evading threats at every stage of flight enhances its combat effectiveness, making it an extremely difficult target to neutralise.
On the other hand, the Kh-101 is a missile whose latest version features two warheads, including one cluster warhead. This configuration allows for a much broader area for strikes compared to using a missile with a standard warhead. It is also noteworthy that the Otblesk-U guidance module is present. This module compares the image recorded during flight with that stored in the missile's memory. Thanks to this technology, the accuracy of hitting is reduced to only a few metres.
The Kh-101 boasts an impressive range reaching up to 5,000 kilometres. However, it should be noted that the latest upgrades might have curtailed this range. Nevertheless, it remains large enough for the missiles to be launched from secure positions within Russian territory. The maximum speed of the Kh-101 missile is approximately 1,000 km/h.
