Satellite images show Russia deployed in Belarus warplanes that can launch Kinzhal missiles
Russian MiG-31Ks at the Machulishchy air base in Belarus (Photo:t.me/AFUStratCom)
Russia has deployed three Kinzhal missile carriers at the Machulishchy air base in Belarus, the Ukrainian government’s Center for Strategic Communications, or Stratcom, reported on the Telegram messenger on Nov. 2.
Stratcom said warplanes capable of launching the missiles had been spotted on satellite images.
“The photos show three MiG-31K supersonic fighter interceptors, which can carry Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and launch them at a distance of 2,000 kilometers,” the report says.
“In addition, several missile containers can be seen.”
Reports that Russian planes capable of carrying the Kinzhal missiles had arrived in Belarus first surfaced on Oct. 18.
The U.S. government, however, says it cannot yet confirm the accuracy of these media reports.
According to Yuriy Ihnat, Ukrainian Air Forces command spokesman, these missiles are among the most problematic for the air defense forces of Ukraine, as they fly at an extremely high speed, making it almost impossible to shoot them down.
“This is the newest type of missile, put into service by Russia in 2018,” he said in earlier comments.
“In total, several dozen of them have been launched. The weight of the Kh-47M warhead is 500 kg, and the speed of the missile is more than 12,000 km/h. After launching from the plane, the missile rises to a high altitude in the upper layers of the atmosphere and reaches maximum speed when approaching the target on a ballistic trajectory.”
“The tactical and technical characteristics of this missile prevent the existing means of air defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from effectively detecting and destroying it.”
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