Cyber attack cripples Russian air base, exposes missile threat
The CyberBoroshno Group has released satellite images from the attack on the Shaykovka air base that took place on March 31, 2025. We present the damage and explain why the Raduga Kh-22 missiles are so dangerous.
The images reveal hits on the technical area (marked in red) used for servicing and preparing missiles before launch. One facility was completely destroyed, while the other was damaged by shrapnel.
In contrast, the fueling infrastructure, which disappeared after the attack, is marked in yellow. It is important to note that Raduga Kh-22 missiles use liquid rocket fuel, which is highly corrosive, so they cannot be stored in a fueled state and are only fueled just before launch. Furthermore, in the second image, a hit on the storage area for Raduga Kh-22 missiles is marked in red, and the destroyed facility is marked in yellow.
The result of the attack was the immobilization of the airfield's infrastructure and the destruction of several missiles, potentially thwarting Russia's plans to carry out another act of terror against civilians.
Tu-22M3 and Raduga Kh-22 missiles: a nightmare for Ukrainian defense
Raduga Kh-22 missiles are supersonic cruise missiles designed during the Soviet era to sink ships, such as aircraft carriers. A key aspect is their very high speed for this type of weapon, reaching Mach 3 (about 3,280 feet per second). This, combined with the ability to fly at an altitude of nearly 131 feet, creates a weapon that is very difficult to defend against.
This is particularly challenging in the absence of AWACS-type aircraft, as ground-based radars have a range limited to about 25 miles due to the radar horizon. This flight characteristic means that the operators of anti-aircraft systems have very limited time to react.
Moreover, not all missile systems are able to catch up with the Kh-22. In practice, Ukraine needs the few available Patriot, SAMP/T batteries, and the remaining S-300 systems to combat them.
Kh-22 missiles are carried by Tu-22M strategic bombers, as they weigh nearly 13,200 pounds, with about 2,200 pounds accounting for the conventional warhead, although there were also variants with a thermonuclear warhead. Missile guidance includes inertial navigation, initially supplemented by a terrain contour matching system, and in the final flight phase, precision is ensured by an active radar head.
