During a massive nighttime attack on Wednesday, the Russian Federation's aviation bombarded Ukraine with Kh-101 missiles, which were produced in the second quarter of 2024 with a dual warhead.
The photographs show a modernized Kh-101 missile shot down on May 8. Based on the serial number, experts determined that this missile was manufactured in the second quarter of 2024, indicating that it was used “practically straight off the assembly line” to strike Ukraine.
After analyzing the photo, they concluded that the missile was equipped with a dual warhead. At the time of the attack, the missile had a standard warhead weighing 450 kg, as well as an additional warhead weighing 350 kg, for a total mass of 800 kg.
Russian forces were able to install a dual 800 kg warhead on the Kh-101 missile by reducing the size of the fuel tank and reducing the flight range from 5,500 km to 2,250 km, which allowed for sufficient range to strike throughout Ukraine.
The portal notes that this is the first time that Russian missiles with dual warheads have been used to strike Ukraine, which may indicate a search for alternative methods to increase destruction, as Ukrainian air defense systems have proven effective.
It is not yet clear whether the Russians have made any changes to the guidance system and other onboard equipment of these missiles. However, in the event of a shootdown, both warheads did not activate upon impact with the ground.
The portal also emphasizes that the development of a dual warhead for the Kh-101 missile was discussed in Russia in the early 2010s, but their use was recorded only in 2024.
