Russian defenses accidentally down own missile in friendly fire incident
Russian air defense systems mistakenly shot down one of their Ch-101 missiles during an attack on Sunday, March 31, instead of a Ukrainian drone as initially reported. Investigations at the crash site revealed that the wreckage belonged to a Russian missile, not enemy equipment.
The military-oriented portal noted that on the same day, Russia launched multiple missile attacks on Ukraine, including 14 Ch-101/Ch-555 missiles from Tu-95MS bombers originating from the Saratov region. It was later discovered that Russian air defenses had unintentionally intercepted one of these missiles.
Initial reports did not mention friendly fire – the media first suggested that a Ukrainian drone was intercepted. However, evidence found by residents of the Saratov region, where the incident took place, confirmed that the Russian military accidentally shot down its missile, the Ch-101. Similar instances of friendly fire have previously involved a Zala Kub-BLA drone and a sophisticated Su-35 aircraft.
Russian forces destroy their own Ch-101 missile
The Ch-101 missile, found in the Saratov region, is one of the newest additions to the aggressor army's arsenal, having been in mass production since 2010-2011. It is also among the most frequently used weapons in attacks on Ukraine.
Designed as a stealth missile, the Ch-101 is hard to detect thanks to its aerodynamic and flattened fuselage. It measures approximately 24 feet in length and weighs 2.4 tons (about 5280 pounds). It can reach up to 621 mph and boasts a range of nearly 2796 miles.
This missile can carry a warhead weighing up to 1058 pounds over long distances, significantly enhancing its offensive capabilities. Equally essential for precision strikes, the use of the Otblesk-U guidance module, in some cases, increases the accuracy of the Ch-101.
