Russia escalates with missile strike on Dnipro, Ukraine
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine on Thursday morning. The primary target was Dnipro, with seven Kh-101 cruise missiles and a Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missile launched from a MiG-31K fighter jet aimed at the city. Additionally, there were plans for an intercontinental ballistic missile to be launched.
According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Russian military attacked the city of Dnipro with various types of rockets on the morning of 21 November, reports the Ukrainian agency Unian. Russia reportedly launched an intercontinental ballistic missile from Astrakhan Oblast; however, it cannot be confirmed what type of weapon it was or whether it was actually used. Furthermore, Moscow launched seven Kh-101 missiles and one hypersonic Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile.
Hypersonic Kinzhal
The Kinzhal is launched from MiG-31K aircraft, which is why Ukrainians announce an alert when these planes take off. This is primarily due to the specifications of the Kinzhal. While intercepting the Kh-101 is manageable for Ukrainian air defence systems, the Kh-47M2 is currently one of the most formidable weapons in the Russian arsenal (and is used quite regularly).
The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile boasts impressive parameters. It is approximately 7 metres long, 1 metre in diameter, and weighs up to 5 tonnes. It is claimed to reach speeds of up to 12,200 km/h, although more realistic assessments suggest about 9,800 km/h.
Ability to manoeuvre during flight
One of the key advantages of this missile is its ability to perform agile and complex manoeuvres during flight, which significantly complicates interception efforts. Its capacity to evade threats at every stage of flight makes it one of the most mobile hypersonic weapons currently available.
Though details of its guidance systems remain secret, the Kinzhal is known for employing advanced technologies that enable precise targeting. This combination of incredible speed and manoeuvrability significantly enhances its effectiveness.
When compared with other missiles, such as the Kh-101, the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal surpasses them not only in speed but also in manoeuvrability. While the Kh-101 reaches only about 1,000 km/h, the Kinzhal exceeds 9,800 km/h, making it a highly challenging target for missile defence systems to intercept.
Quantity and issues with Kinzhal missiles
It is uncertain how many Kinzhal missiles the Russian Federation has in stock. However, estimates from the end of September 2023 suggested that about 55 missiles were in Russian warehouses then. Their production is estimated at two to six units per month.
It is worth noting that the Kinzhal missiles, despite their high speeds and significant manoeuvrability, have encountered problems. In 2023 alone, several instances occurred where the missile failed to explode upon impact, indicating potential defects or undesirable construction features.
