The new Iskander rockets of Russia deceive patriotic systems. Ukraine warns: “Interception becomes more complicated”
The modernization of the Russian arsenal brings a new challenge to the anti -aircraft defense of Ukraine. According to Ukrainian air forces, the latest versions of Iskander-M ballistic missiles are equipped with advanced radar countermeasures, meant to disrupt the operation of Western interception systems, including patriotic type.
M/Photo Rockets: Archive
The spokesman of the Air Force, Iuri Ignat, explained in a national telemarath that each rocket can launch radar traps in the final phase of the trajectory – an innovation that greatly reduces the efficiency of interception. “The enemy has improved the rockets with ballistic trajectory. It is especially about Iskander-M, which can now launch radar traps near the target, disrupting the defense systems,” he said.
More agile rockets, defense put to the test
Another technological innovation brought by Moscow is the quasi-bank missile trajectory: they no longer follow a strictly predictable line, but perform maneuvers, which makes the Patriot systems, calibrated for the precise calculation of the interception point, to be seriously tested.
However, Ignat points out that new features do not make the missiles impossible to break. “The interception is more difficult, but not impossible. I am convinced that our partners are working on adapting Patriot systems to cope with this new type of threat,” the official added.
The warning comes just one day after one of the largest rocket and drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital. On the night of May 23 to 24, Russia launched 14 iskander-m and KN-23 ballistic missiles, along with 250 attack drones throughout Ukraine. The air defense forces managed to break six of the rockets and 245 drones, according to official data.
Nine of the ballistic missiles directly targeted the city of Kyiv. The fragments fallen from intercepted targets have caused significant damages in at least six neighborhoods of the Capital. The most affected were the areas of Solomiansk, Sviatoșîn and Obolon, where at least 14 injured were recorded, according to preliminary reports.
Timur Tkacenko, the head of the military administration of Kyiv, said through Telegram that nine blocks of housing were damaged. “We have many broken windows. In addition, 26 cars were destroyed in three districts, and the electricity networks in the Solomiansk area have been affected.”he said.
Schools, hospitals and civil infrastructure hit
Among the objectives affected are two schools, a polyclinic, a Ukrposhta branch and a neighborhood thermal power plant. All are civilian objectives – a reality that blatantly contradicts Moscow's statements regarding the exclusive targeting of military infrastructure.
The intervention teams continue to release the rubble and repair the broken windows, while the authorities urge the citizens not to reach the fragments of fallen rockets, but to immediately announce the emergency services.
“We are facing an increasingly sophisticated threat, but we will continue to adapt. Solidarity and support of the partners remain essential.”concluded Iuri ihnat.
