Satellite images reveal devastation at Russian air base
The CyberBoroshno Group has released satellite images of the attack on the Shaykovka air base that took place on March 31, 2025. These images illustrate the extent of the damage and highlight the significant threat posed by Raduga Kh-22 missiles.
The images reveal hits on the technical area (marked in red), which is used for servicing and preparing missiles before their launch. One facility was completely demolished, while another sustained damage from debris.
In contrast, the location of the fueling infrastructure, marked in yellow, vanished after the attack. It's important to note that Raduga Kh-22 missiles utilize liquid rocket fuel, which is highly corrosive, preventing them from being stored fueled. They must be fueled shortly before launch. Additionally, in the second image, the targeted storage of Raduga Kh-22 missiles is marked in red, while the destroyed area is marked in yellow.
The attack resulted in the incapacitation of the airport's infrastructure and the destruction of several missiles, potentially disrupting Russia's plans for further acts of terror against civilian populations.
Tu-22M3 and Raduga Kh-22 missiles - nightmares for Ukrainian defense
Raduga Kh-22 missiles are supersonic cruise missiles developed during the USSR era to target ships like aircraft carriers. A key feature is their high speed for this class of weapon, reaching Mach 3 (about 3,280 ft/s). Combined with their ability to fly at an altitude of nearly 130 feet, these missiles are extremely challenging to defend against.
This is especially true in the absence of planes like AWACS, as ground-based radars have a range limited to roughly 25 miles due to the radar horizon. This flight characteristic leaves operators of anti-aircraft systems with very limited time to respond.
Moreover, not all missile systems are equipped to intercept the Kh-22. In practice, the rare Patriot and SAMP/T batteries, along with the remaining operational S-300 systems in Ukraine, are necessary to counter these missiles.
Carried by strategic bombers like the Tu-22M, Kh-22 missiles weigh nearly six tons, with one ton dedicated to the conventional warhead. There are also variants with a thermonuclear warhead. Missile guidance involves inertial navigation, which is eventually supplemented by a terrain contour matching system, and in the final flight phase, an active radar seeker ensures precision.
