Russia's modified missiles: A new threat to Ukraine with dual warheads

The Ukrainian defense news outlet Defense Express recently shared photos depicting debris from an AS-23a (Kh-101) cruise missile. Preliminary evaluations suggest that the Russians have altered this weapon, increasing its lethal capabilities. Here's a breakdown of the modifications implemented.

The wreckage in question hails from missiles deployed by Russia in a significant offensive on May 7, 2024. Notably, the presence of two warheads drew significant attention. The standard issue for the AS-23a cruise missile includes a primary warhead weighing 992 pounds and an additional one weighing approximately 772 pounds.

Analyses by Ukrainian experts corroborate reports disclosed by British intelligence, indicating the Russian modifications aim to augment the missiles' danger level significantly. The extra warhead is designed to disperse a larger swath of shrapnel upon impact.

This modification entails a sacrifice in the missile's range, as introducing a second warhead comes at the expense of fuel capacity. Nevertheless, with its standard range being roughly 2,796 miles, even a substantial reduction would not impede the missile's capability to reach any target within Ukraine.

Defense Express also highlighted the discovery of serial numbers on the missile debris, revealing its manufacture in the second quarter of 2024. This timeline suggests rapid deployment against Ukraine, sparking concerns about Russia's widespread application of such modifications.

Uncertainty exists regarding the impact of the additional warhead on elements like guidance systems and detonation mechanisms. Yet, Russia seems to accept the trade-off of increased destructive potential for possibly reduced precision. The AS-23a missile's dimensions remain the same, with a notable length of almost 24.6 feet and a cruising speed nearing 621 mph.

It's important to note that Russian strategic bombers, especially the Tu-95, are the primary platforms for deploying AS-23a cruise missiles. Frequently operational over Ukraine, these aircraft can soar to heights of approximately 44,291 feet and remain airborne for up to 14 hours without refuelling, boasting a range of about 6,521 miles.