TechUkraine's 'Spiderweb' drones eye Russian missile sites

Ukraine's 'Spiderweb' drones eye Russian missile sites

The Ukrainian "Spiderweb" operation, which involves using drones on Russian military airfields, opens up new strategic opportunities, according to the Ukrainian agency Unian's portal. Military expert Anatoliy Khrapchynski notes that the military could potentially take a step further by using drones to target Satan or Yars missile complexes.

Intercontinental ballistic missile Szatan in a museum.
Intercontinental ballistic missile Szatan in a museum.
Images source: © Wikimedia Commons | Clay_Gilliland

The "Spiderweb" operation, conducted by Ukrainian special services utilizing drones on Russian military airfields, holds strategic significance. War analyst and military industry expert Anatoliy Khrapchynski emphasizes that these actions could hinder Russia from further using certain types of weaponry.

New capabilities of drones

Khrapchynski points out that the drones used in the operation might eventually penetrate intercontinental ballistic missile silos, such as those housing the RS-24 Yars or RS-28 Satan. This illustrates the vast potential that this technology offers.

Khrapchynski explained that the success of the operation stems from strategic foresight, aiming to prevent the Russian Federation from deploying this type of weapon in the future. He noted that the development opens new possibilities, emphasizing that such a drone could potentially reach high-value targets like a Yars or Satan missile system.

Weapons the Ukrainians might target

The RS-28 Satan missile mentioned by the expert is a three-stage, liquid-fueled missile, measuring 116 feet in length and weighing 458,561 pounds. This missile can carry 10 heavy or 15 lighter nuclear warheads over a distance of 11,185 miles. It reaches a speed of 15,534 mph, enabling it to cover 4 miles in a second. Once launched, the missile can remain airborne for several hours, performing maneuvers that significantly complicate its interception by missile defense systems.

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