Ukraine intercepts Russian Kh-22 cruise missile for the first time.

The Ukrainian Air Force, led by Commander Mykola Oleshchuk, announced via social media that they have successfully intercepted Russian Kh-22 missiles for the first time. During the night of April 19, 2024, Russian forces launched a combined missile strike, including six Kh-22 cruise missiles from their Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bombers, originating from the Black and Azov Seas.
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Russian TU-22M exposed on Russian patriotic days event (Picture source opensource)

Of the six missiles targeted at Ukrainian territory, Ukrainian forces managed to destroy two, using ground air defense systems. 

 “During today’s attack, two such missiles were destroyed for the first time. Ukraine needs more resources, more missiles, to better defend the front-line territories from Russian terrorism.,” read the message on Telegram.

The Kh-22, a supersonic cruise missile developed during the Soviet era, is designed for use against aircraft carriers and carrier battle groups, carrying either conventional or nuclear warheads. The X-22 (Kh-22 in Russian), also known by the NATO reporting name AS-4 'Kitchen', is a long-range supersonic cruise missile developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War and designed to be launched from Tupolev-22 bombers. This missile was intended primarily to destroy large naval targets like aircraft carriers, using either conventional or nuclear warheads. It boasts impressive specifications, including a speed of up to Mach 4.6 and a range of approximately 600 kilometers.

The X-22 features a glider design with a robust structure to withstand high thermal loads due to its supersonic speeds. Its construction utilized high-strength stainless steel and titanium, reflecting the technological ambitions of its era. The missile also has a relatively large warhead, which can be either a 350-1000 kiloton nuclear option or a conventional explosive.

Over time, the X-22 has seen various upgrades, such as the Kh-22M and Kh-32, which offer enhanced range and performance capabilities. More recently, the X-22 has been reported in combat use during the conflict in Ukraine, where its use against ground targets has been controversial due to its potential for causing significant collateral damage due to its large payload and relatively low precision

Despite its origins dating back to the late 1960s, the Kh-22 remains a potent threat, reaching speeds of up to Mach 3 during its approach phase and exceeding Mach 4 in its terminal dive, posing a severe risk to targeted areas.

Previously, the Ukrainian Armed Forces could not counter such missiles, which caused widespread destruction and civilian casualties.

Defense News April 2024