Shaykovka air base strike: Examining the devastation and dangers
The CyberBoroshno Group has published satellite images of the attack on Shaykovka air base conducted on 31st March 2025. We present the damage and explain why Raduga Kh-22 missiles are so dangerous.
The images show strikes on the technical area (marked in red) used for servicing and preparing missiles before launch. One facility was completely destroyed, whilst the other was damaged by fragments.
In contrast, the location of the fueling infrastructure is marked in yellow, which disappeared after the attack. It is worth noting that Raduga Kh-22 missiles use liquid rocket fuel, which is highly corrosive. Therefore, they cannot be stored with fuel and must be refuelled just before launch. In the second image, the targeted storage of Raduga Kh-22 missiles is marked in red, while the destroyed area is marked in yellow.
The result of the attack was the incapacitation of the airport's infrastructure and the destruction of several missiles, potentially disrupting Russia's plans for further acts of terror against the civilian population.
Tu-22M3 and Raduga Kh-22 missiles - one of the nightmares of Ukrainian defence
Raduga Kh-22 missiles are supersonic cruise missiles designed during the USSR era to sink ships such as aircraft carriers. Their key aspect is their very high speed, reaching Mach 3 (around 1,000 metres per second). This, combined with the capability of flying at an altitude of approximately 40 metres, makes them very difficult to defend against.
Especially in the absence of aircraft like AWACS, as ground-based radars have a range limited to about 40 kilometres due to the radar horizon. This flight characteristic means that operators of anti-aircraft systems have very limited time to respond.
Moreover, not all missile systems can intercept the Kh-22. In practice, the rare Patriot, SAMP/T batteries, and the remaining operational S-300 systems in Ukraine are needed to combat them.
The Kh-22 missiles are carried by the strategic bomber Tu-22M because they weigh nearly six tonnes, with one tonne accounting for the conventional warhead; there were also variants with a thermonuclear warhead. Missile guidance includes inertial navigation, complemented by a terrain contour matching system, with precision in the final flight phase ensured by an active radar seeker.
