Kremlin used new subsonic missile to level power station
RUSSIAN forces used a new subsonic air-to-surface cruise missile to destroy a power station near Kyiv this week, Ukrainian sources said.
The Kh-69 improves the range of Russian air-to-surface missile attacks to 250 miles from 190 miles. They can fly as low as 20m and are fired by fast fighter jets, according to reports.
Major Ilya Yevlash, from the Ukrainian Air Force, said the Kh-69 missiles posed a new problem for Ukraine’s depleted missile defence systems as they are quick and easy to deploy.
“These are fresh missiles with parts manufactured in 2023. So we can see that Russia is constantly trying to produce new missiles,” he said.
Ukraine has been begging for more weapons from the West, especially missile-defence systems. Major Yevlash said that Patriot air-defence missiles could shoot down Kh-69 missiles.
The Kremlin has been targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and the missile strike on Thursday destroyed the Trypilska thermal power station, one of the largest in the country.
Analysts have said that Russia has gained the initiative along the front line in Donbas, in eastern Ukraine, because it can produce far more weapons than Ukraine and has updated its missiles.
As well as the new Kh-69 subsonic missile, the Kremlin has fired “glide bombs” that have been modified to increase their range and precision.
The US-based Institute for the Study of War said that the appearance of the Kh-69 missile in Ukraine was an indication of the Kremlin’s determination to win by adapting its arms production.