Recent attacks reveal Russia's use of newly manufactured missiles in Ukraine

Sections of Russian missiles used in recent attacks on Ukraine indicate that the Russian Federation's military is utilizing weapons produced in the first quarter of 2024. Serhij Zguriec, from Defense Express, shared insights into Russia's current ammunition production in a conversation with the Espresso channel, as reported by the Unian agency.

Russia launched 150 missiles of various types over three days, including 98 Kh-101 missiles and about 20 Kinzhal and Iskander missiles, said Zguriec. He highlighted a crucial detail concerning the weapons Russia deployed against Ukraine recently. According to the expert, "there is a hope that the Russian Federation will hold off on attacks soon, as it will require time to replenish its missile stockpile," as mentioned on the Unian website.

Russians have been stockpiling for nearly a month, Zguriec notes, adding that the current output of the Russian military industry stands at about 100 Kh-101 missiles per month. Analysis of the remains of the Russian Federation's missiles reveals that the weapons were manufactured in the first quarter of 2024, indicating the use of newly produced arms.

From these observations, Zguriec draws at least two inferences: Russians might scale down attacks shortly due to the need for restocking. However, it's evident that Russia maintains the capacity to produce sufficient ammunition for large-scale assaults on Ukraine. "We anticipate that the attacks will resume after a pause," Zguriec concludes.

Ukraine has faced regular missile attacks for several days, predominantly by Kh-101 missiles. This missile, whose production commenced in 2010-2011, is not only amongst the most commonly used but also among the newest in ongoing production.

The Kh-101 missile is designed for striking targets while minimizing detectability, thanks to its stealth features. This is largely due to its aerodynamic, flattened fuselage, which measures 24 feet in length and weighs 2.4 tons. The Kh-101's warhead, capable of carrying up to 1,058 pounds, can cover approximately 2,800 miles at speeds reaching 621 mph. Notably, certain models are equipped with advanced guidance modules, Otblesk-U, enhancing the missile's accuracy.