Russia unleashes "square" Kh-69 missiles: what makes them special?

Defense Express analyzed the available information on these missiles.

There are indications in the public domain suggesting that Russian forces have initiated the use of Kh-69 air-launched cruise missiles, designed for tactical aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces, in attacks against Ukraine. 

Defense Express, in one of its recent publications, pointed out that information about the deployment of Kh-69 missiles by the Russians surfaced after a significant strike on February 7, 2024.

Notably, it took nearly two weeks for Western observers to take notice of the Kh-69's involvement following this incident. The first report from this perspective came from the specialized portal, The Drive.

The Drive referred to Ukrainian sources claiming that the Russians might have employed three Kh-69 missiles simultaneously in the strike on the night of February 8, 2024, suggesting a Su-34 aircraft as the potential carrier for these missiles.

The authors then cited the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), stating that the Kh-69 missile likely entered production in February 2023. As of September of the same year, the missile was reportedly still undergoing flight testing.

Scheme of hypothetical placement of Kh-69 missiles in the internal compartment of the Su-57 fighter, illustrative image from open sources

The portal's authors proceeded to provide a brief overview of the known characteristics of the Kh-69 missile, highlighting its similarities to the Kh-59MK2 but with distinct design elements such as a square body section and internal engine placement, allowing it to fit into the compartment of a Su-57 aircraft.

The Kh-69 is reported to have a subsonic flight speed, a warhead weight of 310 kilograms, and a range of up to 290 kilometers. Importantly, it is noted as "universal" in terms of carriers, capable of deployment not only from the Su-57 but also from MiG-29K, MiG-35, Su-34, and Su-35 aircraft.

The Drive's authors make intriguing conclusions in their article about the Kh-69 missile. They assert that there is currently no compelling evidence supporting the claim that the Russians used the Kh-69 from a Su-57 aircraft. Instead, they suggest that the utilization of such missiles may be driven by Russia's desire to test the capabilities of the Kh-69 in an authentic combat scenario.