Iskander-1000 Enters the War: New Russian Missile Strikes Ukraine
Russia has used an upgraded version of its short-range “Iskander” ballistic missile for the first time in a summer strike against the Ukrainian capital.
Russian forces have significantly intensified their ballistic missile attacks against Ukraine this year.
The strikes come as Russia continues to modernize its arsenal, while Ukraine struggles to obtain sufficient numbers of air-defense interceptor missiles.
On Thursday, Ukraine’s military and defense intelligence agency (GUR) said that Russia had used an upgraded ballistic missile, the 9M723-2, also known as the “Iskander-1000,” against Ukraine for the first time during a complex bombardment of Kyiv.
The “Iskander-1000” is an upgraded version of the 9M723-1 ballistic missile, launched from Russia’s “Iskander” missile system. According to Business Insider, it features a larger engine and launch platform, which increases its range.
Ukraine estimates that these modifications may have increased its maximum range to approximately 340 miles, or about 550 kilometers, roughly 100 miles, or 160 kilometers, farther than its predecessor. It added that most of the other components remain unchanged.
The first combat use of the “Iskander-1000” highlights Russia’s continued investment in expanding and improving its ballistic missile arsenal.
Ukrainian officials have said that weapons of this type are becoming an increasingly prominent component of Moscow’s strike campaign.
The increased range of the upgraded 9M723-2 allows Russia’s “Iskander” launch platforms to operate from positions farther away while continuing to threaten Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
According to Business Insider, Ukraine is closely monitoring developments in Russian ballistic missile technology, including changes to their maneuverability, which make these weapons more difficult to intercept.
These developments have at times posed a challenge to Ukrainian air defenses, including the US-made MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system.
Last autumn, for example, a US defense intelligence assessment concluded that Ukrainian Patriot systems were struggling to consistently intercept Russian ballistic missiles because of certain “tactical improvements” Moscow had recently made to these weapons.
The Patriot system is one of Ukraine’s most advanced air-defense platforms and is considered its best means of defense against Russian ballistic missiles such as the “Iskander,” as well as the air-launched Kh-47M2 “Kinzhal” missile. However, it is not infallible.
Ukraine is nevertheless currently facing a shortage of interceptor missiles. On some nights, Ukrainian forces have been unable to intercept a single missile.
Russia has also expanded its arsenal with assistance from North Korea. Earlier this month, the Ukrainian Air Force said that the North Korean KN-23 missile, which is a rough counterpart to Russia’s “Iskander” missile, had been used in two strikes.
Ukrainian and Western officials estimate that the ongoing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia has enabled both countries to improve their weapons and technologies.
