Ukraine's drone strategy targets Russian missile prowess
The Ukrainian "Spiderweb" operation utilising drones on Russian military airfields opens new strategic opportunities, according to the Ukrainian agency Unian's portal. Military expert Anatoliy Khrapchynski notes that the military can advance further and use drones to attack Satan or Yars missile complexes.
The "Spiderweb" operation, conducted by Ukrainian special services using drones on Russian military airfields, has strategic significance. War analyst and military industry expert Anatoliy Khrapchynski emphasises that these actions may discourage Russia from further employing this type of weaponry.
New capabilities of drones
Khrapchynski highlights that the drones used in the operation may, in future, be capable of flying into intercontinental ballistic missile silos, such as the RS-24 Yars or RS-28 Satan. This demonstrates the extensive possibilities that this technology offers.
Khrapchynski explained that the success of the operation stems from strategic foresight, aiming to prevent the Russian Federation from deploying this type of weapon in the future. He noted that the development opens new possibilities, emphasizing that such a drone could potentially reach high-value targets like a Yars or Satan missile system.
Weapons the Ukrainians might target
The RS-28 Satan weapon, as mentioned by the expert, is a three-stage liquid-fuelled missile, with a length of 35 metres and a mass of approximately 208 tonnes. This missile is capable of carrying 10 heavy or 15 lighter nuclear warheads over a distance of 18,000 kilometres. It reaches a speed of 25,000 kilometres per hour, allowing it to cover 7 kilometres in a second. After launch, the missile can remain airborne for several hours, performing evasive manoeuvres, which significantly complicates its interception by missile defence systems.
