Discover Russian Iskander-M tactical missiles used to target Ukrainian army
According to a video published by the Russian Ministry of Defense on June 19, 2022, Russia continues to use the Iskander-M short-range tactical missile to target and destroy Ukrainian armed forces' command posts, communication centers, air defense systems, and stocks of weapons and ammunition.
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Russia continues to use Iskander-M tactical missiles to target command posts and air defense systems of Ukrainian armed forces. (Picture source Screen Shot Russian MoD Video)
The first attacks carried out at the beginning of the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, targeted military infrastructure facilities - air bases, arms depots or air defense system sites (so-called SEAD missions), etc. On that day, attacks were carried out by the Russian armed forces against 33 targets in total, using 63 Iskander and 12 Kalibr system missiles.
On subsequent days, the number of attacks was significantly smaller: on February 25, 9 targets were attacked and 16 missiles were used (9 Iskander, 7 Kalibr). February 26, saw attacks on 5 targets using 8 missiles (5 Iskander, 3 Kalibr), February 27, saw 7 targets attacked with 10 missiles (1 Iskander, 7 Kalibr, 2 unknown types), February 28, saw 2 targets attacked with 4 missiles (Kalibr). This gave a total of 56 targets attacked and 113 missiles used.
According to military experts, in the short-range missile family, the Russian Iskander-M is clearly among the most effective weapons in its class and is considered to be much better than its foreign analogs. The Russian Federation has a sizeable arsenal of short-range ballistic missiles. In 2022, the ground forces possessed more than 150 Iskander-M (SS-26) missile launchers, with another 12 launchers in the Navy.
The 9K720 Iskander NATO reporting name SS-26 Stone is a mobile short-range ballistic missile system produced and deployed by the Russian armed forces. Development of the system was undertaken by the Kolomna Engineering Design Bureau development during the 1990s under the project name "Tender".
The Iskander is a tactical missile system designed to be used in theater-level conflicts. It is intended to use conventional or thermonuclear weapon warheads for the engagement of small and area targets (both moving and stationary), such as hostile fire weapons, air and anti-missile defenses, command posts and communications nodes and troops in concentration areas, among others. The system can therefore destroy both active military units and targets to degrade the enemy's capability to wage war. According to Russian claims, the area of destruction from a single warhead is 25,000 square meters or about two football fields.
The Iskander-M is an improved version of the previous model of the Iskander that entered into service with the Russian armed forces in 2016. The launcher vehicle is based on the MZKT-7930 truck and carries two solid-propellant single-stage guided missiles, model 9M723K1 that are stored inside the vehicle in road position. In the firing position, the missiles are erected in a vertical position.
The Russian Iskander-M can fly at a hypersonic speed of 2100–2600 m/s (Mach 6–7) and an altitude of 50 km. The missile weighs 4,615 kg, carries a warhead of 710–800 kg, has a range of 500 km and achieves a circular error probable (CEP) of 5–7 meters when coupled with an optical homing head and 30–70 m in autonomous mode.