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Russia has already launched missiles at Ukraine with same warhead weight as recently

22 November, 2024 Friday
20:23

Ukrainian aviator Hennadii Khazan pointed out that the warhead of the Kh-22 missile weighs one-sixth less than the RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile

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He stated this on Espreso TV, adding that many experts believe the missile used in the strike on Dnipro was likely an RS-26. 

Khazan explained that the RS-26 is not currently in service. Development began in Russia in 2006, with plans for it to be ready by 2017, but it was replaced by the Iskander-K missile in 2018. He also noted that Russia likely has only some RS-26 missiles - around 8 to 10, mostly for testing purposes.

Read also: Russia tests its remaining stock of RS-26 ICBM in strike on Dnipro — military expert Zgurets

According to him, the RS-26 missile, based on its technical specifications, has a warhead weighing 1,200 kg of conventional explosive, even though it was designed to carry a nuclear payload.

Read also: Russia’s potential deployment of RS-26 Rubezh missile sparks grounded alarm - expert

"The missiles with similar warhead weights have unfortunately been used for a long time to target Ukraine. These are the Kh-22 missiles, which have a warhead weighing 960 kg, which is one-sixth less than the RS-26's declared warhead weight. 

The videos we've all seen show the warhead detaching and falling to the ground. What happened next? There was kinetic damage to the ground, but no explosion. So, what’s going on? In my opinion, Putin is just posturing, trying to show the world, ‘Look at what I can use.’ He fired an intercontinental missile, which is like trying to hammer nails into a concrete wall with an electronic microscope,” Hazan concluded.

  • On Thursday, November 21, the Russian army launched an attack on Ukraine using MiG-31K and Tu-95 aircraft, targeting the Dnipropetrovsk region.
  • On November 21, Russian forces launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, along with Kinzhal and Kh-101 missiles, at Ukraine. Ukrainian air defense destroyed six targets.
  • President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that on November 21, Russian forces used a new missile against Ukraine, possibly an intercontinental ballistic missile.
  • Ukraine's Foreign Ministry is pursuing diplomatic measures and leveraging UN and NATO mechanisms in response to Russia's use of a new missile resembling an intercontinental ballistic missile.
  • Valentyn Badrak, Director of the Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies, a military expert, believes that Putin's actions are aimed at political bargaining to make him a winner in the eyes of the Russian audience.
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