'Kinzhal' Disappointing Kremlin

• 5.01.2024, 8:31

Experts explained what's wrong with Russia's "superweapon".

The Russian Kinzhal hypersonic missile has turned out to be a much less formidable weapon than Russian propaganda claimed.

This is what the British publication of The Telegraph wrote, analysing the cases of use of these missiles.

It is noted that the Patriot PAC-2 and PAC-3 surface-to-air missile systems received by Ukraine have been successfully shooting down the Kinzhals since at least May. However, the Ukrainian air defence achieved the greatest success on January 2, when it managed to shoot down 10 out of 10 Kinzhals launched on that day.

"Observers have closely studied videos of the strikes to see how disappointing the Kinzhal is." Disappointing for the Kremlin, of course," the publication wrote, citing among other things one such video of an intercepted missile tumbling into the Dnipro River within Kyiv.

Studying the few videos of the Kinzhal attacks, experts have concluded that these missiles fly at a speed of no more than Mach 1.9, not Mach 5. At least in the final phase of flight. Experts note that this is crucial.

"While the Kinzhal can travel at Mach 5 or faster during the most efficient phase of high altitude flight - immediately after launch - it slows down considerably as it descends and approaches the target. As it gets lower and slower, it is easy for Patriot batteries to catch it," the publication notes.

In addition, each case of successful interception of hypersonic missiles gives the air defence more information on how to shoot down such targets, says Jan Kallberg, a missile expert at the Centre for European Policy Analysis.

We remind you that Russia launched a powerful missile attack against Ukraine on January 2. In an attempt to break through the Ukrainian air defence, the aggressor used a record number of 10 Kinzhal missiles at once.