(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Since the onset of conflict between Moscow and Kiev in February 2022, Russia have launched various missile attacks on major cities in Ukraine, as witnessed in recent days.
However, as acknowledged by Ukrainian officials themselves, the array of missiles launched by Russia does not instill fear, except for one particular Soviet-era creation known as the KH-22.
Speaking on a national television program, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat revealed that since the outbreak of hostilities between the two neighboring nations, Russia has launched approximately 300 KH-22 guided missiles against Ukraine.
Ihnat remarked that despite the conflict, Ukrainian air defense units have been unable to intercept any KH-22 missiles, emphasizing the unique challenges posed by these particular guided projectiles.
According to Ihnat, it is no easy feat to intercept KH-22 guided missiles, even with Ukraine’s access to various European-made air defense systems such as NASAM and Iris-T.
Western air defense systems, including those in Ukraine, have proven ineffective against the KH-22 attacks.
“The KH-22 guided missile travels at a speed of 4,000 km/h and employs a ballistic trajectory, making it challenging to evade,” Ihnat explained.
“We require air defense systems like the Patriot; dealing with these guided missiles is no simple matter. The enemy has used over 300 KH-22 guided missiles since the onset of the conflict.”
In addition to the KH-22, Russia also possesses a modernized variant known as the KH-32.
It is likely that Moscow is deploying this upgraded guided missile as well. Currently, Russia extensively employs hypersonic KH-47M2 and KH-22 guided missiles to target locations within Ukraine.
Developed in the 1960s by the Russian firm MKB Raduga, the KH-22 guided missile, known as AS-4 “Kitchen” by NATO, is capable of reaching a speed of Mach 4.6 and has a range of 600 km.
The primary targets for the KH-22, equipped with conventional and nuclear warheads, are aircraft carriers and large warships. — DSA
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