Russia has upgraded its Iskander-M and Kinzhal missiles to better evade U.S.-supplied Patriot air defense systems in Ukraine, according to a Financial Times report citing Ukrainian and Western officials. The enhanced missiles now follow standard trajectories before sharply changing course, making interception more difficult. This tactic has contributed to a sharp drop in Ukraine’s missile interception rate—from 37% in July to just 6% in September, according to The Kyiv Independent. Recent strikes have damaged Ukrainian drone production facilities and even impacted nearby diplomatic offices. Despite fewer launches, Russia has intensified its missile and drone attacks, with deadly consequences across Ukraine. They write:
Russia has upgraded its missiles to better evade Ukraine’s Patriot air defense systems, the Financial Times (FT) reported on Oct. 2, citing current and former Ukrainian and Western officials.
The modernization has been evident in recent strikes on Ukrainian drone production facilities. […]
According to the FT‘s sources, Russia has modified its Iskander-M mobile missile system, which has a range of up to 500 kilometers (310 miles), and its Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, which can strike targets up to 480 kilometers (300 miles) away.
The missiles reportedly follow a standard trajectory before suddenly changing course and diving steeply, maneuvers designed to evade Patriot interception.
Ukraine intercepted 37% of Russian ballistic missiles in July, but the success rate fell to 6% in September, despite a decline in Russian launches, according to the FT.
Ukraine’s Air Force on Oct. 1 said four Iskander-M missiles fired overnight all hit their targets. […]
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