During Wednesday's night-time mass attack, the Russian Federation air force bombarded Ukraine with Kh-101 missiles, which were manufactured in the second quarter of 2024 with a dual warhead.
The photos show the 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, which indicates that it was used "virtually straight off the assembly line" to strike Ukraine.
After analyzing the photo, they came to the conclusion that the missile was equipped with a double warhead. During the attack, the missile had a standard warhead weighing 450 kg, as well as an additional warhead weighing 350 kg, for a total weight of 800 kg.
Russian troops were able to install a double warhead weighing 800 kg 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 made it possible to leave a sufficient range for striking the entire territory of Ukraine.
The portal notes that this is the first time that Russian dual-warhead missiles have been used to strike Ukraine, which may indicate a search for alternative methods of increasing destruction, as Ukrainian air defense systems have proven to be effective.
It is not yet clear whether the Russians have made any changes to the guidance system and other elements of the on-board equipment of these missiles. However, in the event of a shoot-down, 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.
