Ukrainian Forces Down Russian Missile with U.S.-Made Stinger System

A video has recently emerged online capturing the moment a Ukrainian soldier shoots down a Russian maneuvering missile with the American-made FIM-92 Stinger system. This remarkable achievement has been detailed below.

In recent attacks on Ukraine, the Russian forces have unleashed a flurry of Shahed drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. It's notable, however, that Ukrainian defenses have been successful in intercepting the bulk of the drone and cruise missile assaults.

Here's a glimpse into how a Ukrainian soldier managed to down a Russian cruise missile, likely a model from the Kh-101 and Kh-55/555 families, using the FIM-92 Stinger system.

Cruise missiles are generally considered to be relatively slow-moving targets, with top speeds not surpassing Mach 1 (approximately 1,225 km/h). They are designed to fly at very low altitudes, leveraging stealth technology (a standard feature in newer models) to evade radar detection by anti-aircraft defenses.

It should be highlighted that even though land-based radars can spot targets up to 300 kilometres away at altitudes of 10 kilometres, the Earth's curvature creates a 'radar horizon'. This phenomenon significantly reduces the detection range for low-flying objects to a mere 40 kilometres.

Given the impossibility of constant radar coverage across an entire country, deploying mobile patrols armed with handheld anti-aircraft systems (MANPADS) like the FIM-92 Stinger or the Polish PPZR Piorun is a strategic response.

Equipped with a heat-seeking warhead, the FIM-92 Stinger is highly effective against the turbojet engines of cruise missiles, which emit considerable heat, even at speeds slightly above Mach 2 (over 2,450 km/h).

The FIM-92 Stinger is capable of engaging targets up to roughly 5 kilometres away and at altitudes up to about 4 kilometres. This system's heat-seeking warhead benefits from a dual-sensor approach, combining third-generation infrared sensors (which detect heat sources) with ultraviolet sensors. This setup, enhanced by sophisticated algorithms, differentiates mere heat sources from those also emitting ultraviolet radiation—a signature of engine exhaust. While not as advanced as the fourth-generation infrared sensors that capture thermal images of targets, as seen in the Mistral missiles, this simpler and more cost-effective solution has proven to be highly effective.