A recent evaluation suggests that Russia's Kh-101 missiles, known for their prestige, have revealed several issues in the manufacturing process of these long-range missiles utilized in targeting Ukrainian energy facilities.
On the 31st of March, Ukrainian news outlets disclosed that a Kh-101 missile from Russia had impacted the southwestern Saratov region of the country following a missile attack directed towards Ukraine.
Several reports indicated that fragments found in a field in the Saratov region were believed to be from a Ukrainian drone. However, other sources, such as the Russian independent outlet Astra, shared images suggesting that the wreckage belonged to an air-launched Kh-101 missile.
On March 31, Kyiv's Air Force stated that Russia had launched a total of 14 Kh-101 and Kh-555 missiles from Tu-95MS strategic bombers stationed in the Saratov region.
The Saratov region serves as the home to Russia's long-range aviation. The Engels-2 facility, located near the city of Saratov, houses some strategic bombers that Russia utilizes to carry out military strikes against Ukraine. Despite being situated deep within Russian territory, this base has been repeatedly targeted by Kyiv.
According to an intelligence update shared on social media by the British Ministry of Defense, the debris discovered in the Saratov region at the end of last month is believed to be a result of a "malfunction" in a Kh-101 missile that was launched toward Ukraine earlier that day. The ministry characterizes the Kh-101 missiles as Russia's top-notch precision-guided munition, also known as AS-23a Kodiak missiles, with an impressive range of approximately 4,000 kilometers or nearly 2,500 miles.
The ministry stated that the malfunction of "such a renowned missile" suggests issues in its production, which are further exacerbated by the supply chain disruptions caused by the sanctions imposed on Moscow due to its invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, the ministry mentioned that the product was hastily manufactured to fulfill the requirements of the ongoing conflict.
Russia has depleted its supply of missiles during a period exceeding 25 months of conflict, yet it has mobilized its industry to ensure the continuous production of military equipment. In an attempt to hinder Russia's capability to manufacture new missiles, Western nations have imposed sanctions on Moscow. However, these measures have been widely regarded as largely ineffective by Kyiv and numerous Western experts.
Ukraine has reported that Russia has escalated its Kh-101 attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in recent months. However, with Moscow replenishing its supply of Kalibr cruise missiles, it is expected to switch back to Kalibr strikes due to the significant decrease in the number of Kh-101s, as stated by Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency, the GUR, in late March.
Earlier this year, Vadym Skibitsky, a GUR spokesperson, mentioned that Moscow had upgraded and enhanced its Kh-101 missiles, noting that the versions currently being used by Russia against Ukraine in 2024 are "completely different from those employed in 2022."
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