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Russian air and ground forces fired ten Iskander-type ballistic missiles into Ukraine’s capital Kiev early Thursday morning. In one month of May, more missiles, cruise missiles and drones were fired at Kiev than at any time since the offensive war began more than 15 months ago.
Thursday’s attack killed three people, including a woman and her child, and injured 16 others. This is despite Ukraine saying it shot down all ten Iskander missiles with its Patriot and Iris-T systems ahead of the target.
The Russian grenades and anti-aircraft missiles also caused considerable damage when they hit the ground. They destroyed a hospital and the surrounding residential area.
Destructive effect even when shooting
As “Bild” reports, the Patriot anti-aircraft missiles, due to their flight characteristics, can only intercept the Iskander missiles a few kilometers from the target. This is often all over inhabited area.
The Iskander missiles are ballistic missiles more than seven meters long and more than four and a half tons in weight, including 800 kilograms of explosives. Unit price: two million Swiss francs. All in all, Putin spent 20 million Swiss francs on Thursday morning.
Iskander missiles reach their target at speeds of up to 2,600 kilometers per hour, reducing the warning time between detection and impact to just minutes.
New unit stationed in Belarus
As recent events show, even if launched, the Iskander missiles can have a devastating effect. With a range of 400 kilometers and the ability to carry nuclear weapons, they were originally intended for a possible war against NATO.
The alleged launches in Kiev, according to the report, show that in a conflict with the West, where they would likely be fired from the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, they could easily be intercepted by Polish air defenses. Units of the missile system have also recently been stationed in Belarus.
According to “Bild”, Russia has already fired hundreds of Iranian kamikaze drones and cruise missiles at ships or into the air at Kiev and is now increasingly relying on the Iskander system.
Will Russian President Vladimir Putin (70) soon run out of bullets? The Ukrainian secret service reported last November that Russia had only 120 of its modern Iskander missiles in its arsenal. (no)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
