Russia hits Ukraine with Kh-69 missile filled with metal balls for first time - media

The photo was shared by the Ukrainian Telegram channel "Polkovnyk HSh," which covers air force-related topics. The specialized portals Militarnyi and Defence Express consider the source of the testimony to be reliable.

"An Kh-69 cruise missile with a cluster warhead was shot down last night (on the night of 18-19 October 2024 - ed.). This is the first time that such a weapon with such a payload has been detected," the blog informs.

"If you find such bullets on the ground, do not touch them and call the State Emergency Service," the author emphasizes.

According to a report by the Ukrainian Air Force, on the night of 19 October, Russia attacked Ukraine with six Kh-59/Kh-69 missiles, four of which were shot down.

Russian cruise missile Kh-69: key details

The Kh-69 missile, which was called the Kh-59MK2 during its first public presentation in 2009, is developed and manufactured at the facilities of the Raduga Design Bureau (Russia). The manufacturer claims that the Kh-69 is capable of delivering a 310kg warhead to a target at a distance of at least 300km. This missile can be launched from the external suspensions of Su-30, Su-34 and Su-35S aircraft, as well as from the internal compartment of the latest Su-57 due to its square cross-section, Militarnyi notes.

The first confirmation of Russian strikes on Ukraine with Kh-69 missiles with a penetrating high explosive warhead was published in February 2024. Russia also used the latest Kh-69 cruise missile to strike the Trypillia thermal power plant in April this year.

"In May of this year, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine disclosed the production rate of Kh-69 cruise missiles, which was 1-3 units per month at that time. At the same time, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine reported that the enemy had accumulated a stockpile of 45 such missiles," Defence Express reminds.

• On October 20, 2024, Ukrainian drones hit Russia's largest explosives plant in Dzerzhynsk and the Lipetsk-2 military airfield.