Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Kinzhal

The (: Х-47М2 Кинжал, NATO reporting name AS-24 Killjoy) is a designed for nuclear or conventional payloads, capable of reaching hypersonic speeds of up to during flight. Developed as a derivative of the ground-launched 9K720 Iskander-M , the Kinzhal leverages aerial launch from platforms such as the MiG-31K interceptor to extend its operational range to 1,500–2,000 km while carrying a 480 kg . Initial development concepts for adapting Iskander-like systems to airframes emerged in the late 2000s, with the missile entering Russian service in December 2017 and publicly unveiled by President Vladimir Putin in March 2018 as part of a suite of advanced strategic weapons. Russian state media emphasized its speed and alleged maneuverability to evade defenses, positioning it as a response to perceived Western missile defense advancements, though independent analyses classify it primarily as a boosted ballistic missile rather than a true hypersonic glide vehicle with sustained atmospheric maneuvering. The Kinzhal saw its first reported combat use in March 2022 during Russia's invasion of , targeting infrastructure with claims of precision strikes, but subsequent Ukrainian interceptions using Western-supplied systems—verified in at least six instances by May 2023—have demonstrated its vulnerability to modern air defenses, undermining assertions of invulnerability. Production remains limited, with estimates of fewer than 100 operational units as of 2023, reflecting challenges in scaling hypersonic-capable munitions amid sanctions and technical constraints.

Development

Origins and design derivation

The (NATO: AS-24 Killjoy) air-launched ballistic missile originated as a derivative of the Russian ground-launched 9K720 Iskander-M system, which entered service with the in 2006 following development that began in the late by the Machine-Building Design Bureau (KBM), a subsidiary of the state-owned Corporation. The Kinzhal's adaptation for aerial deployment leveraged the Iskander's proven solid-fuel rocket propulsion and quasi-ballistic trajectory, which incorporates mid-flight maneuvers to evade defenses, but modified the design for carriage and launch from high-altitude, high-speed aircraft such as the MiG-31K interceptor. Design derivation emphasized retaining the Iskander's core dimensions and layout for compatibility with existing production lines, with the Kinzhal's body reportedly identical in measurements to the Iskander's 9M723 booster stage—approximately 7.3 meters in length and 0.92 meters in diameter—while adding aerodynamic fairings and interfaces for underwing or ventral mounting on modified MiG-31 variants. This air-launch configuration provides an initial boost from the carrier aircraft's speed (up to 2.8 at altitudes exceeding 17,000 meters), extending the missile's beyond the Iskander's 500-kilometer limit to approximately 2,000 kilometers, though independent analyses suggest operational ranges closer to 1,500–1,800 kilometers depending on launch parameters. The derivation process prioritized modularity, incorporating the Iskander's inertial guidance augmented by and possibly optical terminal homing, but with enhancements for hypersonic boost-glide phases reaching speeds of –12 during descent, enabling evasive maneuvers via aerodynamic control surfaces rather than relying solely on as in the ground-launched parent. and official announcements, such as President Vladimir Putin's March 1, , address to the Federal Assembly, framed the Kinzhal as a novel to underscore technological superiority, though Western defense assessments characterize it as an evolutionary air-launched variant of Iskander technology rather than a revolutionary design, with no evidence of fundamentally new or materials beyond scaling for aerial . Development timelines remain opaque, with unverified reports indicating conceptual work on air-launched Iskander variants predating the 2018 unveiling, potentially drawing from Soviet-era experiments in aerial integration.

Testing and initial deployment

The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal entered a trial period with the in December 2017, following development as an air-launched derivative of the ground-based Iskander system. officials, including President , claimed successful testing had been ongoing since that month, enabling the weapon's adoption into service by year's end. This timeline positioned the Kinzhal as operational ahead of its public unveiling on March 1, 2018, during Putin's address on new strategic systems. A publicly documented test launch occurred on March 11, 2018, when a MiG-31K released the from an airfield in south-western , with releasing footage of the event. The Defense Ministry described the trial as confirming the system's high-precision capabilities against surface and maritime targets, though independent verification of performance metrics remained limited. Initial operational deployment focused on Russia's , where Kinzhal-equipped MiG-31K interceptors were stationed at regional air bases to enhance strike options against potential naval threats in the Black Sea and beyond. This basing reflected the 's integration into existing aviation assets, with early exercises emphasizing rapid launch from high-altitude platforms to achieve extended range and speed. By mid-2018, reports indicated limited numbers had been fielded, prioritizing compatibility with modified MiG-31 airframes over mass production.

Production and upgrades

The Kh-47M2 is manufactured by the Machine-Building Design Bureau (KBM), a subsidiary of the state corporation, located approximately 100 km southeast of . Development of serial followed its entry into service with the in December 2017, though initial output volumes remained classified and limited to 2022. facilities have faced disruptions, including a drone strike on the site in November 2023 that damaged two buildings and shattered windows, highlighting vulnerabilities in the . During the 2022 , Russia significantly expanded Kinzhal manufacturing capacity, with reports indicating a ramp-up in serial production starting in late 2022 and continuing through 2023 to support intensified operational tempo. intelligence assessments estimate monthly output at 10-15 units as of mid-2025, constrained by reliance on imported from entities in and Western firms routed through intermediaries. Ministry of Defense contracts reflect planned increases, ordering 44 missiles for 2024 delivery and 144 for 2025, signaling efforts to sustain stockpiles amid high rates in combat. Unit costs are estimated at 146 million rubles (approximately $1.4-1.8 million USD, depending on exchange rates), underscoring the program's resource intensity relative to Russia's broader production ecosystem. Upgrades to the Kinzhal have focused on enhancing terminal-phase maneuverability to counter advanced air defenses, particularly U.S.-supplied systems deployed in . In 2025, Russian engineers modified the missile's guidance and control systems—drawing from parallel improvements to the ground-launched Iskander-M—to execute evasive maneuvers in the final descent phase, reportedly reducing interception success rates from near 100% in early engagements to as low as 10-20% in recent strikes. These adaptations, confirmed by military officials and Western analysts, involve software updates for quasi-ballistic trajectory adjustments rather than major hardware overhauls, allowing retrofitting to existing stockpiles without disrupting production lines. Earlier iterations lacked such capabilities, as evidenced by multiple successful interceptions in 2023, but the modifications have restored the weapon's contested effectiveness against layered defenses.

Technical specifications

Physical characteristics and propulsion

The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal is an with dimensions derived from its ground-based counterpart, the 9M723 Iskander-M, measuring approximately 8 meters in length and 1 meter in body diameter. Its launch weight is estimated at around 4,300 kilograms, enabling compatibility with aircraft undercarriages while accommodating a of up to 480 kilograms. The missile features a reduced tail section for aerodynamic stability during high-speed flight and small stabilizing fins or wings with a span of about 0.5 meters to support quasi-ballistic trajectories. Propulsion is provided by a single-stage solid-propellant rocket motor, inherited from the Iskander-M design and optimized for rapid acceleration post-release from the carrier . This motor ignites shortly after air launch, propelling the missile to initial speeds of 4 or higher, with terminal velocities reaching up to under ballistic ascent and phases. Unlike boost-glide hypersonic systems, the Kinzhal relies solely on rocket without air-breathing engines, achieving hypersonic velocities through the combined from the launching —typically a MiG-31K traveling at 2.8—and the motor's burn, which sustains powered flight for phase before coasting on a depressed ballistic arc. The composition allows for quick readiness and simplicity but limits or mid-flight restarts, constraining maneuverability to pre-programmed or inertial adjustments during powered ascent.

Guidance, warhead, and payload

The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile utilizes an (INS) as its primary guidance mechanism, which operates autonomously by measuring the missile's , , and to maintain the programmed without external inputs during much of its flight. This is supplemented by satellite navigation for mid-course corrections, providing global positioning data to refine the path and compensate for any deviations, particularly in the boost and cruise phases. In the terminal phase, the system incorporates a seeker, reported to include active or electro-optical elements adapted for hypersonic maneuvering, enabling evasive actions and discrimination at high speeds to achieve a (CEP) of 10-20 meters under optimal conditions. This hybrid approach, derived from the ground-launched Iskander-M system's architecture but modified for air launch, allows the Kinzhal to follow a quasi-ballistic while performing limited terminal corrections, though its accuracy remains constrained by the challenges of hypersonic reentry sheaths potentially disrupting signals. The missile's payload capacity is approximately 480 kg, accommodating either a conventional high-explosive fragmentation for kinetic and blast effects or a , with Russian official statements asserting dual-capability since its unveiling. Conventional s have been employed in verified strikes, such as those during the 2022 , delivering payloads optimized for hardened or area targets, while options remain unconfirmed in combat but align with Iskander-derived designs capable of variable yields. Payload weight variations up to 700 kg have been referenced in some analyses tied to configurations, but operational data consistently points to the 480 kg baseline for balancing range and speed.

Launch platforms and integration

The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile is designed exclusively for air launch, requiring integration with high-speed aircraft capable of providing sufficient initial velocity and structural support for its 4-tonne weight. The primary platform is the modified MiG-31K interceptor, which carries the missile semi-recessed under the on a dedicated , with the aircraft's upgraded for target designation and launch sequencing. These modifications include reinforced sections and enhanced fire-control systems to handle the missile's hypersonic boost phase, enabling launches at altitudes up to 20 km and speeds exceeding 2. Integration with the Tu-22M3 strategic bomber has been attempted, with reports of the aircraft conducting patrol flights armed with Kinzhal missiles over regions including the and Seas as of 2023. However, challenges in achieving reliable launches from the slower Tu-22M3—due to insufficient carrier velocity for optimal missile —have limited operational success, with some analyses indicating the adaptation project encountered technical failures despite initial compatibility claims. The Tu-22M3 requires similar pylon and software integrations as the MiG-31K but lacks the interceptor's sustained supersonic dash capability, potentially reducing the missile's effective range and when launched from this platform. Plans exist to integrate Kinzhal with the fighter-bomber, involving modifications for underwing or ventral carriage, though as of 2025, deployments remain in testing phases without confirmed combat use. Emerging reports suggest adaptations for the fifth-generation fighter, including a specialized variant under evaluation in early 2025, aimed at expanding launch options for stealthier operations. No verified integrations with naval or ground-based systems have been achieved, as the missile's design relies on aerial boost-glide dynamics incompatible with vertical launch tubes or static rails.

Operational deployment

Pre-Ukraine War uses

The air-launched ballistic missile entered operational service with the in December 2017, following a series of successful tests that began in that month. President publicly unveiled the system in March 2018 as part of a broader announcement of new strategic weapons, emphasizing its hypersonic capabilities derived from the ground-launched Iskander-M missile. Prior to the 2022 invasion of , the Kinzhal was integrated into experimental combat duty units, with modified as primary launch platforms and placed on alert at Russian airfields for potential deterrence roles. In June 2021, deployed two MiG-31K equipped to carry Kinzhal missiles to its airbase in for military exercises, marking the first such overseas operational deployment of the system. These jets participated in war games simulating strikes, demonstrating the missile's integration with forward-deployed forces amid ongoing operations against insurgent groups in . Analysts assessed this move as a signaling effort to showcase capabilities against potential adversaries, including U.S. naval assets in the Mediterranean, rather than for immediate combat employment. No verified combat launches of the Kinzhal occurred during this Syrian deployment or in any prior operations. Domestic testing continued through 2021, focusing on launch profiles, guidance accuracy, and integration with Tu-22M3 bombers as secondary platforms, confirming the missile's readiness for high-speed, quasi-ballistic trajectories up to Mach 10. Russian defense ministry statements highlighted these trials as validating the system's evasion of air defenses, though independent verification of performance metrics remained limited due to . Overall, pre-2022 uses were confined to training, alert postures, and demonstration deployments, with production ramping up to support initial stockpiles estimated at around 20-30 missiles by early 2022.

Employment in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

The entered combat during the early stages of the on March 18, 2022, when launched one from a MiG-31K fighter jet targeting an underground munitions depot near the village of Deliatyn in . The Russian Ministry of Defense reported the strike as successful, claiming it destroyed a facility storing Western-supplied s and that could not be reached by conventional . This marked the 's first verified operational use, emphasizing its role in penetrating hardened, subterranean targets. Throughout the remainder of 2022, Kinzhal launches remained infrequent, with forces employing the weapon selectively against high-value , including command nodes and hubs in western and . These strikes often integrated Kinzhal with Iskander-M ballistic missiles and cruise missiles to saturate air defenses, though exact numbers for the year are not publicly detailed beyond estimates of fewer than a dozen confirmed launches due to production constraints and the system's high . officials highlighted the missile's and maneuverability as key to evading interception attempts, with no verified successes reported until 2023. Employment focused on demonstrating Kinzhal's capabilities against fortified positions distant from front lines, such as in the vicinity of and , where it targeted air defense sites and ammunition stores to disrupt Ukrainian mobilization and resupply efforts. The limited tempo reflected Russia's prioritization of conserving stockpiles for potential escalation, as serial production had not yet scaled to support mass use.

Intensified strikes and adaptations 2023–2025

Following the initial phases of the , Kinzhal missile strikes intensified in 2023, with launching six in a barrage of 84 missiles targeting multiple cities, marking the largest employment of the weapon to date. Subsequent operations included strikes on May 4 and May 16, 2023, directed at and associated infrastructure, often in saturation attacks combining Kinzhal with drones and other munitions to overload defenses. By mid-2025, usage escalated further, with reports indicating 17 Kinzhal launches in June alone, alongside continued targeting of airfields like and urban centers such as . This uptick reflected Russia's strategic shift toward systematic degradation of energy and command , with Kinzhal employed for high-value, time-sensitive targets requiring rapid penetration. In October 2025, launches persisted, including two from on October 10 as part of combined drone-missile salvos. emphasized Kinzhal's hypersonic profile to exploit gaps in Western-supplied systems, achieving verified impacts on facilities despite claims. To adapt against improving Ukrainian countermeasures, particularly U.S.-provided batteries, upgraded Kinzhal with terminal-phase maneuvering enhancements by early 2025, enabling last-second trajectory alterations that and officials acknowledged as diminishing interception efficacy. These modifications, akin to those applied to Iskander-M systems, involved refined guidance for evasive patterns during reentry, reducing hit probabilities for radar-guided interceptors. Operational tactics evolved concurrently, with MiG-31K launch platforms incorporating by October 2025 to maintain standoff distances amid Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russian airfields. This adaptation extended loiter time and launch envelopes, allowing Kinzhal deployment from safer rear areas while preserving the missile's + terminal velocity for saturation effects in multi-vector attacks. defense admissions highlighted these changes as straining , with upgraded Kinzhal contributing to breakthrough successes against protected sites.

Performance and capabilities

Speed, range, and hypersonic trajectory analysis

The Kh-47M2 accelerates to shortly after , potentially attaining maximum speeds of (approximately 12,350 km/h) during its boost and midcourse phases, according to Russian specifications and assessments. These velocities derive from a solid-fuel motor providing initial thrust, augmented by the launching aircraft's altitude (up to 20 km) and speed (+ from platforms like the MiG-31), which impart equivalent to a ground-launched system's boost phase. Independent verification of peak speeds remains limited, as operational data from the conflict rely on inferred tracks rather than direct measurements, with no public confirming sustained throughout flight. Claimed range extends to 2,000 km or more under optimal launch conditions, factoring in the carrier aircraft's 2.8 cruise and 17-20 km altitude, which reduce drag and gravitational losses compared to the ground-launched (maximum 500 km). constraints limit this to conventional or warheads up to 480 kg, with effective range diminishing to 1,500 km or less at lower launch profiles or against hardened targets requiring terminal maneuvers. In practice, strikes in have occurred over distances of 500-1,000 km from launch points in Russian airspace, consistent with tactical employment rather than maximum capability demonstrations. The Kinzhal's trajectory is quasi-ballistic, initiating with a high-thrust boost to hypersonic velocity before coasting along a depressed parabolic arc, unlike true hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) that execute atmospheric skips for extended low-altitude flight. This path, while achieving Mach 5+ speeds qualifying as hypersonic by velocity alone, follows predictable ballistic mechanics post-boost, with limited midcourse corrections via control surfaces or thrust vectoring to evade defenses. Russian claims emphasize maneuverability at all phases, but analysis indicates terminal-phase adjustments are constrained by reentry heating and plasma sheathing, reducing radar evasion compared to scramjet-powered hypersonic cruise missiles or skipping HGVs. Empirical intercepts by Ukrainian Patriot systems in 2023, involving missiles tracked over 150-300 km flight paths, demonstrate that the trajectory's apex (potentially 50-100 km altitude) provides defenders 5-10 minutes warning, undermining assertions of uninterceptability despite high closing speeds. The air-launch advantage shortens overall flight time to 10-15 minutes over 1,000 km versus 30+ for subsonic cruise missiles, but the ballistic profile exposes it to exo-atmospheric or high-altitude interceptors, as causal physics of unpowered coasting limits dynamic evasion.

Maneuverability and evasion features

The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal utilizes a quasi-ballistic derived from the Iskander-M system, incorporating a maneuvering reentry that enables path alterations during boost, midcourse, and terminal phases to counter air defenses. This design allows for erratic flight patterns, supported by aerodynamic features such as stabilizing fins, a streamlined conical body, and a redesigned tail section with reduced rudders for enhanced agility at hypersonic speeds up to 10. Russian technical descriptions emphasize evasive maneuvers throughout the entire , which, combined with the missile's compact profile minimizing cross-section, aim to reduce predictability and interception windows. Guidance integration plays a key role in evasion, employing inertial navigation systems augmented by satellite corrections for resilient midcourse adjustments and terminal homing, thereby maintaining accuracy while dodging jamming or electronic countermeasures. The air-launched configuration from high-altitude platforms like the MiG-31K further bolsters evasion by permitting launches from variable azimuths and altitudes, complicating radar acquisition and sectoring for ground-based defenses. These features are intended to overwhelm theater systems such as or THAAD by shortening reaction times through speed and trajectory variability. Post-2022 operational adaptations have included software upgrades enabling steeper terminal dives or lateral veers upon reaching 10-12, specifically to evade engagements, as reported by assessments. Such modifications have correlated with reduced efficacy, dropping from approximately 37% in August 2025 to 6% in September 2025, though independent technical evaluations highlight inherent limitations in the solid-fuel design, which lacks sustained for sharp, powered turns and renders the post-burnout coast phase more vulnerable to prediction despite maneuvers.

Strike accuracy and verified impacts

The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile employs inertial guidance augmented by and a seeker, yielding a reported (CEP) of 10-20 meters according to assessments from analysts. Russian sources assert even higher precision, with a CEP under 1 meter enabled by advanced homing systems, though such claims lack independent corroboration and are viewed skeptically by evaluators due to the missile's ballistic limitations in corrections. In operational deployment during the 2022 , Kinzhal strikes have targeted high-value assets such as underground ammunition depots, airfields, and decision-making centers, with Russian Ministry of Defense reports claiming successful penetrations and destruction, including hits on energy infrastructure as of October 10, 2025. However, independent analyses and open-source evidence reveal inconsistencies: observers, reviewing footage and strike outcomes, described Kinzhal accuracy as "unsatisfactory," citing deviations from intended impact points attributable to guidance disruptions or inherent predictability. systems have increasingly interfered with Kinzhal navigation in 2025, leading to off-target impacts or failures to detonate, as evidenced by multiple duds recovered intact after launches in January 2024, where warheads failed to arm despite reaching ground proximity. Verified impacts remain sparse in neutral assessments, with and ground reports confirming craters and damage in strike zones but rarely attributing precise hits exclusively to Kinzhal amid mixed salvos; for instance, a July 5, 2025, launch against a bomber base produced regional explosions without confirmed structural damage or casualties, indicating potential misses. Center for Strategic and International Studies data from salvo analyses suggest Kinzhal achieves higher target penetration rates compared to slower missiles, implying effective impacts when not intercepted, yet overall failure modes—including guidance errors and malfunctions—have reduced reliability below pre-war projections. These operational shortcomings highlight vulnerabilities in real-world conditions, contrasting with specifications and underscoring the challenges of sustaining precision under contested electronic environments.

Interceptions and countermeasures

Ukrainian Patriot interception claims

On May 4, 2023, commander announced the first claimed interception of a Russian missile over using a newly arrived U.S.-supplied MIM-104 system during a nighttime barrage that included drones and other missiles. The battery, delivered to in late April 2023, reportedly fired two missiles to achieve the intercept, with operators estimating the Kinzhal's speed at approximately 1,240 m/s—below hypersonic velocities claimed by . U.S. officials, including Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, confirmed the downing on May 9, 2023, stating confidence in the 's success against the Kinzhal based on intelligence assessments. Subsequent Ukrainian claims followed rapidly. On May 16, 2023, reported intercepting six Kinzhal missiles launched from air-launched platforms over , attributing the successes to systems in coordination with other defenses. By July 2024, Ukrainian officials, including lawmaker Yaroslav Yaremenko, asserted that more than 20 Kinzhal missiles had been downed over since the Patriots' arrival in May 2023, with wreckage from intercepted missiles publicly displayed to support the claims. Additional high-profile assertions included a January 2, 2024, claim of downing all 10 Kinzhal missiles fired in a single night attack, again crediting interceptors. Photographic evidence of Kinzhal debris, including remnants and sections, has been presented by Ukrainian sources as verification of these events. Russian officials have consistently denied these interceptions of operational Kinzhal missiles, with a Defense Ministry source on May 11, 2023, asserting that any downed objects were likely unarmed training variants or decoys rather than combat-armed hypersonics. Defense Minister dismissed the May 16 claims specifically, labeling them fabrications and maintaining that the Kinzhal remains invulnerable to Western systems like due to its speed and maneuvers. state media has echoed this, suggesting Ukrainian successes involved non-hypersonic ballistic missiles misidentified as Kinzhal or required excessive munitions, rendering the tactic unsustainable. Despite U.S. confirmations, independent analyses note that verified intercepts may have exploited predictable trajectories or lower-threat profiles, as has since reportedly upgraded Kinzhal guidance for evasive terminal maneuvers to counter engagements.

Electronic warfare and other defenses

Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) systems have demonstrated increasing success in disrupting the guidance of Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missiles during their terminal phase, causing many to deviate from intended targets in 2025. Sources within the Ukrainian General Staff report that EW interference affects the missile's navigation, leading to impacts away from designated sites, with this phenomenon noted across multiple launches throughout the year. This disruption exploits potential vulnerabilities in the Kinzhal's inertial and satellite-aided guidance, where jamming can degrade accuracy without physical interception. The effectiveness of these EW measures has reportedly forced Russia to expend Kinzhal missiles at a higher rate—estimated at over 1.5 billion USD in losses due to failed strikes—while defenses adapt to counter attempts to mitigate through software updates or alternative guidance modes. analyses align with these claims, attributing Kinzhal's combat underperformance partly to EW susceptibility rather than solely , as the missile's quasi-ballistic exposes it to ground-based emitters during reentry. However, sources have not publicly confirmed these disruptions, and verification relies on battlefield assessments, which may overstate impacts amid ongoing conflict dynamics. Beyond , other non-kinetic defenses against Kinzhal include target hardening and dispersal tactics employed by forces, such as relocating to reduce damage from inaccurate strikes influenced by . Passive measures like emitters or countermeasures on potential targets have been inferred in broader air defense strategies, though specific applications to Kinzhal remain unverified in open sources. These approaches complement kinetic systems by prioritizing disruption over destruction, leveraging the missile's reported guidance limitations observed in empirical combat data from 2022–2025.

Russian assessments of penetration success

Russian Defense Ministry officials have maintained that the Kinzhal missile consistently penetrates air defenses due to its hypersonic velocity exceeding and quasi-ballistic trajectory, which they describe as surpassing the engagement envelopes of Western systems like the . A ministry source stated in May 2023 that "the flight speed of the Kinzhal missile exceeds the combat limits of the air defense missile systems the West has delivered to the Kiev regime," directly refuting interception claims as infeasible. Similar denials followed reports of downing multiple Kinzhals in May 2023, with Russian statements asserting no losses occurred and attributing opposing narratives to . Sergei Shoigu, then-Defense Minister, confirmed in August 2022 that Kinzhal strikes had successfully targeted underground facilities and command centers during the initial phases of operations in , implying full penetration without interception. Russian assessments emphasize the missile's maneuverability in the terminal phase, which evades tracking and interceptor guidance, as evidenced by post-strike reports of verified hits on high-value infrastructure. Following reported adaptations in 2024–2025, Russian sources claimed upgraded Kinzhal variants incorporate last-second maneuvers that further reduce vulnerability, rendering interceptions "difficult to take out" and achieving near-total success in contested airspace. These evaluations, disseminated via state media like and , portray the Kinzhal as effectively invincible against current defenses, though independent verification of penetration rates remains limited by operational secrecy and conflicting accounts.

Controversies and evaluations

Debates on hypersonic classification

The is officially designated by as a hypersonic capable of speeds exceeding , with President announcing its development in 2018 as a revolutionary weapon evading traditional defenses due to its velocity and alleged maneuverability. state media and defense ministry statements emphasize its air-launched ballistic profile from MiG-31K or Tu-22M3 , claiming it achieves hypersonic glide phases that complicate . However, Western analysts and a 2020 report classify the Kinzhal primarily as an derived from the ground-launched Iskander (9K720), arguing that its "hypersonic" label is misleading since most ballistic missiles attain + speeds during descent but follow predictable parabolic trajectories without sustained atmospheric maneuvering. True hypersonic weapons, per definitions from organizations like the U.S. , typically involve hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs) or cruise missiles that execute significant lateral maneuvers at + within the atmosphere to evade and interceptors, categories into which the Kinzhal does not fit due to its limited terminal-phase adjustments. Chinese military assessments, including a 2023 analysis in the journal Aerospace China, echo this skepticism, describing the Kinzhal as 1980s-era technology lacking genuine hypersonic characteristics, with its ballistic arc rendering it vulnerable to advanced systems like despite high speeds; maneuverability is deemed insufficient compared to HGVs such as Russia's Avangard or 's DF-17. Critics contend Russia's promotion inflates its novelty to project technological parity with the , whereas empirical data from interceptions in 2023—using PAC-3 missiles—demonstrate that the Kinzhal's predictability allows engagement outside the strictest hypersonic evasion thresholds. The debate underscores definitional ambiguities: while the Kinzhal qualifies under a narrow speed-based (Mach 5+), broader strategic classifications prioritize sustained maneuverability and atmospheric control, features absent in its design, leading outlets like for Strategic and International Studies to recommend distinguishing it from next-generation hypersonics to avoid overhyping defensive challenges.

Claims of effectiveness versus empirical failures

Russian state media and officials have portrayed the as an unrivaled "miracle weapon" capable of achieving speeds of to 13, executing unpredictable maneuvers, and penetrating any existing air defense systems due to its hypersonic profile. These assertions emphasize its role in precision strikes against military infrastructure, energy facilities, and command centers since its first combat deployment in March 2022, with claims of successful hits contributing to operational disruptions. For instance, Russian reports highlighted Kinzhal salvos in March 2023 targeting multiple sites across , positioning the missile as a decisive factor in attritional warfare. In contrast, empirical evidence from the conflict reveals significant vulnerabilities, including repeated interceptions by Western-supplied systems. On , 2023, forces using a U.S. battery downed a Kinzhal over —the first verified instance—confirmed by U.S. officials and Commander , with debris analysis supporting the claim. subsequently reported intercepting all Kinzhal launches with Patriots since that date, including six during a May 16, 2023, barrage on , though contested these, alleging strikes damaged units instead. Independent assessments note the Kinzhal's quasi-ballistic trajectory—derived from an air-launched Iskander variant—lacks the sustained maneuverability of true hypersonic glide vehicles, rendering it predictable and susceptible to terminal-phase intercepts by systems like PAC-3 missiles. Further failures underscore production and reliability issues: Russian authorities arrested Kinzhal developers in 2023 for allegedly deceiving after strikes underperformed, with some missiles failing to reach targets or cause expected damage. electronic warfare has increasingly disrupted guidance, contributing to misses, as seen in a July 5, 2025, strike where no impacts occurred at intended airbases. Despite modifications for steeper dives to evade Patriots, overall interception rates for ballistic missiles, including Kinzhals, remain high—around 83.5% in analyzed 2022-2024 data—while limited launches (over 50 Kinzhals in 2025 amid broader salvos) indicate inventory constraints rather than strategic dominance. External evaluations align with these battlefield outcomes, dismissing Russian hype. Chinese analysts, reviewing Kinzhal operations, concluded it represents "dated technology" with negligible impact on the war's trajectory, failing to overwhelm defenses as advertised. While occasional penetrations occur—exploiting shortages—the missile's empirical record prioritizes value over proven penetration superiority, with finite stocks exacerbating sustainability concerns.

Strategic implications and Western skepticism

The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile's deployment in the has been presented by Russian officials as enhancing long-range precision strike capabilities, enabling air-launched attacks from MiG-31K fighters against fortified targets up to 2,000 km away at speeds exceeding 10. This positions it strategically as a deterrent against escalation, with producing approximately 800 to 1,000 such quasi-ballistic missiles annually alongside ground-launched variants, aiming to overwhelm air defenses through saturation and speed. However, empirical outcomes indicate limited battlefield impact, as forces have intercepted multiple Kinzhal launches using U.S.-supplied systems, including a verified downing over on May 4, 2023, confirmed by Commander and U.S. officials. Western analysts express skepticism regarding the Kinzhal's revolutionary potential, arguing it follows a predictable ballistic without the sustained maneuverability of true hypersonic glide , rendering it vulnerable to terminal-phase intercepts by advanced systems like PAC-3 missiles. This view is supported by at least six confirmed interceptions in May 2023 alone, undermining Russian claims of invulnerability and highlighting the missile's similarity to the ground-launched Iskander-M, which lacks mid-course evasion to justify "hypersonic" designation beyond raw velocity. Strategic implications include eroded deterrence value for , as repeated failures—exacerbated by disruptions reported increasingly effective in 2025—demonstrate that hypersonic speeds alone do not guarantee penetration against layered Western-supplied defenses. Further doubt arises from production and sustainment constraints; despite upgrades to evade , interception rates for ballistic missiles dropped to 6% in September 2025 from 37% in July, yet overall Kinzhal efficacy remains questioned due to high costs and finite stockpiles relative to attritional warfare demands. assessments, reviewing , similarly conclude the Kinzhal has not decisively altered the conflict's trajectory, viewing it as overhyped rather than a paradigm-shifting . These evaluations imply broader ramifications for global arms dynamics, tempering fears of a hypersonic monopoly and reinforcing investments in over exotic countermeasures, while exposing inflating tactical missiles as strategic game-changers.

References

  1. [1]
    Kh-47M2 Kinzhal - Missile Threat - CSIS
    Specifications. The Kinzhal has a reported range of 1,500-2,000 km while carrying a nuclear or conventional payload of 480 kg. A July 2018 TASS news report ...
  2. [2]
    Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress
    Aug 27, 2025 · Russia is pursuing two hypersonic weapons programs—the Avangard and the 3M22 Tsirkon (or Zircon)—and has reportedly fielded the Kinzhal ("Dagger ...
  3. [3]
    [PDF] 1 RUSSIAN HYPERSONIC WEAPONS The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal ...
    Kinzhal Development.​​ It is likely derived from Russia's ground-launched 9K720 Iskander-M short- range ballistic missile. The benefits of creating an air-launch ...
  4. [4]
    Kh-47 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal Dagger - AS-24 Killjoy - Army Recognition
    Aug 8, 2025 · The Kh-47 Kinzhal hypersonic missile is equipped with advanced guidance and navigation systems that enable it to accurately strike targets while ...
  5. [5]
    Ukraine and the Kinzhal: Don't believe the hypersonic hype
    May 23, 2023 · Ukraine used a US-supplied Patriot battery to down a Russian Kinzhal missile, which Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced in 2018 was a “hypersonic” ...Missing: reliable | Show results with:reliable
  6. [6]
    Hypersonic Capabilities: A Journey from Almighty Threat to ...
    However, the Kinzhal is an aero-ballistic missile with hypersonic threat features but is not a fully mature hypersonic system. So, the defensive ...
  7. [7]
    Hypersonic Hype? Russia's Kinzhal Missiles and the Lessons for Air ...
    May 23, 2023 · The Kinzhal is reported to have a range of around 1,500 kilometers (930 miles), which is relatively short for a hypersonic missile, especially ...Missing: reliable | Show results with:reliable<|separator|>
  8. [8]
    Russia's Kinzhal Hypersonic Missile: A Game-Changing Weapon or ...
    Apr 7, 2022 · Analysts believe that the Kinzhal is derived from the ground-launched 9K720 Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile. Both weapons achieve ...
  9. [9]
    Kinzhal Hypersonic Missile, Russia - Airforce Technology
    Feb 23, 2024 · The Kinzhal is believed to be based on Russia's ground-launched 9K720 Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile with anti-ship capabilities. The ...Missing: origins | Show results with:origins
  10. [10]
    Kinzhal Missile - AirPra
    Aug 24, 2023 · Design Features of the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal ALBM. According to one report, Kinzhal's measurements are identical to those of the OTK 9M723 Iskander-M.
  11. [11]
    KH-47M2 Kinzhal: An Air-Launched Hypersonic Missile | SOFREP
    Jun 4, 2024 · The Kinzhal was developed from the ground-launched Iskander. Both are propelled by solid-fuel rocket engines. The Kinzhal's GLONASS and optical ...Missing: origins derivation
  12. [12]
    Kinzhal
    The Kinzhal missile conducted its first test on December 1, 2017, and Putin claimed the system was already operational in the Russian Southern military district ...
  13. [13]
    Russia says it has successfully launched powerful new missile
    Mar 11, 2018 · The Kinzhal missile was launched from a MiG-31 aircraft that took off from an airfield in south-western Russia, the defence ministry said.Missing: details | Show results with:details
  14. [14]
  15. [15]
    All You Need to Know About Kh-47/M2 Kinzhal Ballistic Missile
    Jan 2, 2024 · The Kh-47/M2 Kinzhal (Dagger) is a nuclear-capable, aero ballistic missile (NATO designation Killjoy). It was designed by the Moscow Institute of Thermal ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  16. [16]
    Drone damages two buildings of Kinzhal missile production plant ...
    Nov 13, 2023 · A drone fell and exploded on the premises of the Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau in Kolomna at midnight. Windows were shattered in two bureau buildings.Missing: manufacturing | Show results with:manufacturing
  17. [17]
    Russia's Arms Trends: increasing missile and drone production and ...
    the ballistic version of the missile — and 10 to 15 hypersonic Kinzhals per month. This compares ...
  18. [18]
    Manufacturer of Russian Kinzhal missiles receives components from ...
    Oct 25, 2023 · They are purchased by the Moscow company ETS Electronics LLC, established in 2021, from the Chinese company ETC Electronics Limited.
  19. [19]
  20. [20]
  21. [21]
    Russia's upgraded missiles evade Ukraine's Patriots: FT - AeroTime
    Oct 2, 2025 · Russia has adapted its Iskander-M and Kinzhal ballistic missiles to evade Ukraine's air defenses, Ukrainian and Western officials told the ...
  22. [22]
    Russia upgrades Iskander and Kinzhal missiles to overwhelm ...
    Oct 2, 2025 · Russia has upgraded Iskander and Kinzhal missiles with last-second maneuvers, sharply reducing Ukraine's Patriot interception rate and ...Missing: modifications | Show results with:modifications
  23. [23]
    Russia Tweaks Iskander-M, Kinzhal Missiles to Outsmart Patriot ...
    Oct 2, 2025 · The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, known by NATO as “Killjoy,” is a nuclear-capable aero ballistic missile believed to be a modified version of the Iskander-M ...
  24. [24]
    Patriot-proof: More Russian missiles breaching Ukraine's US-made ...
    Oct 8, 2025 · Patriot missile defence batteries are proving less effective against Russian hypersonic missiles, which may have been treated to an upgrade.
  25. [25]
    Kinzhal Hypersonic Missile - Full Specifications - The Defense Watch
    The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal is Russia's air-launched hypersonic missile, capable of ... Physical Characteristics. Length, ~7.5 m. Diameter, 1.0 m. Wingspan, 0.5 m.
  26. [26]
    The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal: The Deadly Russian Dagger
    May 17, 2022 · It has similar dimensions as the OTK 9M723 Iskander-M, the Kinzhal has a length of 8-m, a body diameter of 1-m, and tail section, reduced ...<|separator|>
  27. [27]
    Experts say the Russian hypersonic missile Kinzhal is not a ...
    Aug 24, 2022 · With a much larger solid fuel rocket motor, it is hardly surprising that Kinzhal can travel to Mach 10, as Russia claims. If Kinzhal is ...Missing: type | Show results with:type
  28. [28]
    Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (“Dagger”) - Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance
    Jun 28, 2018 · Quick Facts ; Designer/Production, Russian Defense Ministry ; Range, 2,000 km ; Warhead Type and Weight, Nuclear/Conventional; 480 kg ; MIRV and ...Missing: origins derivation<|separator|>
  29. [29]
    Tu-22M3, MiG-31 armed with Kinzhal perform routine flights ... - TASS
    Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and a MiG-31 fighter armed with the Kinzhal system have performed scheduled flights over the Baltic and Caspian seas.
  30. [30]
    Why the russian Project on Adapting Kinzhal Missiles for Tu-22M3 ...
    Apr 24, 2023 · Apparently, the starting velocity provided by high-speed MiG-31K is not the only requirement for a successful Kinzhal launch.
  31. [31]
    Russian Bombers (Now Armed with Hypersonic Missiles?)
    Jun 29, 2020 · The hypersonic Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile was also designed to be compatible with the Tu-22M3. It is one of several flagship weapons unveiled ...
  32. [32]
    Su-57 may soon get its own Kinzhal ALBM, local source claims
    Feb 2, 2025 · A new version of the air-launched ballistic hypersonic missile Kh-47M2 Kinzhal is currently being tested.
  33. [33]
    Putting the Russian Hypersonic Threat in Perspective - RUSI
    Sep 28, 2021 · A KH47M2 Kinzhal quasiballistic massile being ... Plans to equip platforms across the Russian surface fleet with the UKSK Vertical Launch ...<|separator|>
  34. [34]
    9M730 Kinzhal - Dagger / Product 75 / Product 715
    The Kinzhal air-launched hypersonic missile system was unveiled by Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 1. The Russian leader said the Kinzhal had an ...
  35. [35]
    How Russia fooled the world about its 'hypersonic' Kinzhal - Sandboxx
    Mar 19, 2022 · The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (Russian for Dagger) entered operational service in 2017, according to Russian statements made in 2018.
  36. [36]
    Russia Deploys 'Invincible' Kinzhal Hypersonic Missile-Capable Jets ...
    Jun 25, 2021 · Russia has for the first time deployed two interceptor jets capable of carrying the hyped Kinzhal hypersonic missile for war games in Syria.
  37. [37]
    What we know about Kinzhal, Russia's hypersonic missile | Reuters
    May 16, 2023 · - Russia's defence ministry claimed to have fired a Kinzhal missile at a munitions dump in southwestern Ukraine on March 19, 2022, the first ...
  38. [38]
    Russia sends warplanes to Syria for huge naval drills in Med
    Feb 15, 2022 · The deployment of Kinzhal missiles to Syria appears to be intended to showcase the Russian military's capability to threaten the U.S. carrier ...
  39. [39]
    The Kinzhal hypersonic missile... Russia's new dagger
    May 20, 2023 · The Kinzhal missile is specifically designed for air launch and is deployed on modified MiG-31 Foxhound heavy interceptors. It represents a ...Missing: reliable | Show results with:reliable
  40. [40]
    The Use of Emerging Disruptive Technologies by the Russian ...
    Oct 1, 2022 · The Russian army's arsenal was supplemented by the air-launched hypersonic rocket Kinzhal in December 2017. The Kinzhal can be launched from the ...
  41. [41]
  42. [42]
    Lessons from Russian Missile Performance in Ukraine | Proceedings
    The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine has involved the largest use of land-attack missiles in history, with launches from all basing modes.
  43. [43]
    Russian Hypersonic Weapon Usage Provides Insights For Future ...
    Nov 18, 2024 · Russia's hypersonic arsenal includes the Kinzhal and the Avangard missiles. The Kinzhal has been deployed multiple times against targets in Ukraine.
  44. [44]
    Russia intensifies use of Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles ...
    Jul 12, 2025 · According to Russian claims, the missile weighs 4,300 kg, measures 7.2 metres in length, and has a range of up to 2,000 km when launched from an ...Missing: weight | Show results with:weight
  45. [45]
  46. [46]
    Ukraine downs 8 out of 17 Russian Kinzhal missiles in June - Yahoo
    Jul 1, 2025 · In June 2025, Ukraine's air defence forces destroyed 4758 air targets launched by Russia, including eight Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ...<|separator|>
  47. [47]
    Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 10, 2025 | ISW
    Oct 10, 2025 · Russian forces launched a large, combined drone and missile strike against Ukraine on the night of October 9 to 10, per ISW.
  48. [48]
    Russia Upgrades Missiles to Evade Ukraine's Patriot Defenses – FT
    Oct 2, 2025 · The changes appear to affect both the Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile system and air-launched Kinzhal missiles, which have ranges of ...Missing: adaptations 2023-2025
  49. [49]
    Russia's MiG-31Ks with Kinzhal Missiles Use Air Refueling as ...
    Oct 12, 2025 · Russia's MiG-31Ks with Kinzhal Missiles Use Air Refueling as Ukraine Expands Strike Range. ... Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile ...
  50. [50]
    Russian missile upgrades render Ukrainian defences less effective
    Oct 11, 2025 · Ukrainian officials have admitted that recent upgrades to Russian missile systems are significantly undermining Western-supplied air ...Missing: adaptations | Show results with:adaptations
  51. [51]
    Russia's New Nuclear Weapons: Understanding Avangard, Kinzhal ...
    Aug 2, 2021 · Hypersonics, conventionally defined, travel at five times the speed of sound, or Mach 5. By this measure, ballistic missiles dating back to the ...
  52. [52]
    [PDF] An Analysis of Hypersonic Missile Technology
    There is a possibility that the Kinzhal may follow the ballistic trajectory during its terminal phase, which makes it vulnerable to the. “Patriot” Air ...
  53. [53]
    Russia's Hypersonic Defeat. Or Was It? - CEPA
    Jun 2, 2023 · Ukraine's downing of Russia's Kinzhal missile is not strictly speaking a successful intercept of a hypersonic weapon.
  54. [54]
    (VIDEO) Russia Releases Rare Footage of Kinzhal Hypersonic ...
    Jul 21, 2025 · Moreover, it is non-reusable, requires specialized launch platforms ... The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal represents a significant leap in Russia's ...
  55. [55]
    Russia's Defense Ministry reports successful strikes on targets in ...
    Oct 10, 2025 · It is reported that they also used Kinzhal hypersonic aero-ballistic missiles and attacked unmanned aerial vehicles. They struck energy ...
  56. [56]
    Russia's Kinzhals are frustrating Chinese analysts who want to find ...
    Jan 17, 2024 · "The accuracy is unsatisfactory," one analyst wrote. China has been watching the Kinzhal keenly as it faces off against US Patriot systems ...
  57. [57]
    ​Sources Say Ukraine's EW Is Disrupting russia's Prized Missile ...
    Sep 13, 2025 · In 2025, Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) systems have shown growing effectiveness against russia's Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. A ...
  58. [58]
    ​russia Strikes Ukraine With Defective Kh-47 Kinzhal Missiles, They ...
    Jan 18, 2024 · Defense Express learned from its own sources that the above-mentioned cases of failure of the Kinzhal's warheads are far from all such cases.
  59. [59]
    No hits, no harm: Russia's 5 July "hypersonic" Kinzhal strike on ...
    Jul 6, 2025 · First used in 2022, it was successfully intercepted for the first time in May 2023 following the deployment of MIM-104 Patriot systems.Missing: platforms | Show results with:platforms
  60. [60]
    Breaking Down Russian Missile Salvos: What Drives Neutralization?
    Feb 24, 2025 · On average, Russia has fired 24.3 missiles and drones at Ukraine a day since the start of the war. Over time, Russia has significantly increased ...
  61. [61]
    Ukraine says it used US-made Patriot system to intercept Russian ...
    May 6, 2023 · Oleshchuk said the interception happened during a night attack on May 4 in the sky over Kyiv. ... intercepting the Kinzhal is “a slap in the face ...
  62. [62]
    Ukraine says its newly fielded U.S. Patriot system downed a Russian ...
    May 6, 2023 · The Russian Kinzhal was intercepted during an air strike over Kyiv earlier this week, a Ukrainian official said. It is the first known time ...
  63. [63]
    Kh-47M2 Kinzhal - Wikipedia
    The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal is a Russian air-launched ballistic missile. It has an estimated range of 460–480 km (290–300 mi) and a reported top speed of Mach 10.Missing: reliable | Show results with:reliable
  64. [64]
    Pentagon Confirms Ukraine Shot Down Russian Kinzhal Missile ...
    May 10, 2023 · The Pentagon's Press Secretary confirmed a Russian Kinzhal hypersonic missile was successfully intercepted by a U.S. Patriot defense system.
  65. [65]
    U.S. confirms Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missile to have been ...
    The United States is confident that the Russian Kh-47 Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missile was shot down with the help of the Patriot air defense system.
  66. [66]
    U.S. Officials Confirm Damage to Patriot Defense System in Kyiv Attack
    May 24, 2025 · Russia's Defense Ministry said that at least one Kinzhal was used in the attack on Tuesday and claimed that a Kinzhal had hit a Patriot air ...
  67. [67]
    All Russian Kinzhal missiles downed over Kyiv since arrival of ...
    Jul 4, 2024 · Yaremenko added that "more than 20 Kinzhal missiles were launched over Kyiv and all of them were successfully intercepted" since May 2023. The ...
  68. [68]
    Ukraine's military says the Kinzhal missile that Putin bragged was ...
    Jan 3, 2024 · The Ukrainian military announced the intercepts on Tuesday morning on Facebook and Telegram, reporting all 10 of the Kinzhals were shot down.Missing: evidence | Show results with:evidence<|separator|>
  69. [69]
    Photographic Evidence of Ukraine Intercepted Kinzhal Hypersonic ...
    Oct 25, 2023 · It happened 10 days after the military said it brought down another Kinzhal, over Kyiv, using a Patriot missile defence system. ... Russia claims ...
  70. [70]
    Russian Defense Ministry source denies reports that Ukrainian army ...
    Russian Defense Ministry source denies reports that Ukrainian army intercepted Kinzhal missile (Part 2). MOSCOW. May 11 (Interfax) - A high-ranking Russian ...
  71. [71]
    Ukraine says it shot down Russian hypersonic missiles but Russia ...
    May 16, 2023 · But Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu dismissed Ukraine's claim that it shot down the six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles overnight, saying ...
  72. [72]
    Patriot air defense system unable to intercept Russia's Kinzhal missile
    The Kiev regime is engaged in wishful thinking with its claims of intercepting a Kinzhal hypersonic missile that is invulnerable to Patriot air defense systems.Missing: denial | Show results with:denial
  73. [73]
    This year, Kinzhal missiles often hit not where the Russian ...
    Sep 12, 2025 · Ukrainian Armed Forces' electronic warfare systems affect most of Russia's missiles. This year, Kinzhals are hitting not their intended ...
  74. [74]
    They began to miss targets more often: the General Staff noted an ...
    Sep 13, 2025 · They began to miss targets more often: the General Staff noted an increase in the effectiveness of electronic warfare against Kinzhal missiles.
  75. [75]
    Ukrainian Electronic Warfare Disrupts Russian Kinzhal Missiles ...
    Sep 12, 2025 · In 2025, Ukrainian electronic warfare significantly disrupted Russian Kinzhal missiles, causing costly countermeasures and forcing Russia to ...
  76. [76]
    How do missiles like the Kinzhal and Zircon actually manage to ...
    Aug 15, 2025 · To date, the Kinzhal and Zircon missiles have demonstrated relatively poor performance in combat, with what appears to be a fairly high ...
  77. [77]
    Ukraine war: Kyiv says it shot down Russian hypersonic missiles
    May 16, 2023 · Russia denies its Kinzhals were stopped and said one destroyed a US-supplied Patriot air defence system. Ukraine declined to comment. The BBC ...
  78. [78]
    Shoigu reveals Kinzhal hypersonic missile was used three times ...
    Aug 21, 2022 · Shoigu reveals Kinzhal hypersonic missile was used three times during special operation - Military & Defense - TASS.<|control11|><|separator|>
  79. [79]
    Russian Kinzhal, Iskander missiles become harder to intercept, says ...
    As a result of the modernization, they now make some last-minute maneuvers that make them more difficult to take out.
  80. [80]
    Kyiv proves Russia's Kinzhal missile more hype than hypersonic
    May 8, 2023 · A 2020 NATO report on hypersonic weapons said that the Kinzhal was "not generally characterized as a hypersonic weapon" but was included in ...Missing: debate | Show results with:debate
  81. [81]
    China Evaluates Russia's Use of Hypersonic 'Daggers' in ... - RAND
    Jan 12, 2024 · Kinzhal requires the carrier aircraft to release the missile at high altitude and high speed in order to give the missile as much initial boost ...Missing: specifications | Show results with:specifications
  82. [82]
    Chinese military journal asserts Russia lied about 'hypersonic' Kinzhal
    Jan 16, 2024 · Chinese military analysts are now acknowledging that the Kinzhal missile does not live up to Russian claims, dismissing it as “dated 1980s technology.”
  83. [83]
    Russia's Kinzhal missile is not hypersonic. Nor is it invincible
    May 25, 2023 · The first confirmed combat use of Kinzhal occurred on March 18, 2022, when the missile hit a munitions depot in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast in ...
  84. [84]
    Russian Novel Nuclear Weapons and War-Fighting Capabilities
    Mar 20, 2025 · Russia reportedly first used the Kinzhal in Ukraine in March 2022, though some non-Russian sources question the validity of these claims. Moscow ...Missing: invasion | Show results with:invasion
  85. [85]
    Ukraine says it downed Russian hypersonic missile with U.S. Patriot ...
    May 6, 2023 · It was also the first time Ukraine is known to have used the Patriot defense systems. “Yes, we shot down the 'unique' Kinzhal,” Oleshchuk wrote.
  86. [86]
    Ukrainian Patriot operator recalls downing first Kinzhal missile
    May 5, 2025 · Ukraine's Patriot system, received in April 2023, managed to intercept the missile over Kyiv Oblast. Initial reports from Kyiv officials on May ...<|separator|>
  87. [87]
    Kinzhal Missile Makers 'Deceived' Putin, Says Ukrainian Ex-Intel Chief
    May 22, 2023 · The developers of Russia's hypersonic Kinzhal (Dagger) missile program "deceived" Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the former chief of Ukraine's ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  88. [88]
    Russian Firepower Strike Tracker: Analyzing Missile Attacks in Ukraine
    Russia launched 11,466 missiles at Ukraine from September 2022–2024, with 83.5 percent intercepted daily. As Moscow escalates attacks, ...
  89. [89]
  90. [90]
    Did Russia Lie About its Kinzhal Missile? China Thinks So
    Jan 17, 2024 · Chinese military analysts are now acknowledging that the Kinzhal missile does not live up to Russian claims, dismissing it as “dated 1980s technology.”
  91. [91]
    Regional Analyst Questions Effectiveness, Sustainability Of Russian ...
    On May 16, Russia launched the most massive three-hour missile attack on Kiev in the history of war. Aeroballistic missiles of the “Kinjali” type were also used ...Missing: invasion | Show results with:invasion
  92. [92]
    Russia's Hypersonic Missiles Summed Up in 4 Words
    The two most commonly mentioned Russian hypersonic arsenals include the Kh-47 M2 Kinzhal and the Avangard. The Kinzhal was fired on a number of occasions ...Missing: truly | Show results with:truly<|separator|>
  93. [93]
    Denial Won't Do: Europe Needs a Punishment-Based Conventional ...
    Sep 8, 2025 · In addition, Russia produces around 800 to 1,000 9M723 and Kh-47M2 Kinzhal short- and medium-range ballistic missiles each year. Another ...
  94. [94]
    Patriot Missile Systems: Empirical Performance Data (2020-2025)
    Jun 28, 2025 · The May 4, 2023 Kinzhal intercept over Kyiv represents the highest-confidence verified success, confirmed by both Ukrainian Air Force Commander ...
  95. [95]
    UK monitoring Russian use of Kinzhal and Zircon missiles
    Sep 8, 2025 · The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, known ... Operationally, the missile has been deployed from bases in Russia's Southern and Western Military Districts.
  96. [96]
    Russia reportedly modifies missiles to evade Ukraine's Patriot air ...
    Oct 2, 2025 · The missiles reportedly follow a standard trajectory before suddenly changing course and diving steeply, maneuvers designed to evade Patriot ...