According to Russian information, the rockets can hit targets up to 2,000 kilometers away.
(Photo: AP)
Moscow According to information from Moscow, the Russian Air Force destroyed a missile arsenal in the Ivano-Frankivsk region in its war against Ukraine with the hypersonic missile “Kinshal” (Dagger). The Ukrainian Air Force’s underground ammunition depot in Delyatyn in south-western Ukraine was destroyed by the ballistic missile on Friday. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konoshenkov said on Saturday.
Two military reconnaissance bases were also destroyed in the Odessa region on the Black Sea. A total of 69 military objects, including four command bases in Ukraine, were destroyed on Saturday night, Konashenkov said. The information could not be verified.
It is the first time since the beginning of the war that Russia has reported the use of its new air-to-surface ballistic missile Kinzhal. It was the first use in combat ever, it was said.
So far, the weapons have been used primarily for manoeuvres. The last time this happened was a few days before the invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24.
Top jobs of the day
Find the best jobs now and
be notified by email.
The “Kinzhal” missiles are fired by MiG-31 fighter jets. According to Russian information, they can hit targets at a distance of up to 2,000 kilometers – while bypassing all air defense systems. Hypersonic missiles exceed the speed of sound by several times and fly at more than 6000 kilometers per hour.
So far, the missiles have only been used for maneuvers.
(Photo: AP)
Russia also justifies its war in Ukraine with the aim of demilitarizing the western-armed neighboring country. The Russian head of parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, called on the USA and the NATO states to stop arming Ukraine “if they want peace as soon as possible”.
More on the Ukraine war:
Konashenkov also said Russian forces used the Bastion anti-ship missile system to attack military installations near Odessa. Russia first used this weapon system in Syria in 2016.
More: “Europe must deprive Putin of gas and oil revenues,” demands Ukrainian Naftogaz boss Yuriy Vitrenko