Why is the Kh 22 the Real Beast in Russias Missile Arsenal
Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, the specter of Russian missile attacks has loomed large. While hypersonic missiles like the Kinzhal grab headlines, it is the Kh22, a seemingly less glamorous behemoth, that has Ukrainian air defenses truly worried. Back in 2000, Ukraine handed over 386 Kh22 missiles to Russia as part of a repayment for gas debt. Throughout the fullscale invasion, Russian forces have launched approximately 300 Kh22 missiles at Ukraine, and up until now, none of these missiles have been intercepted or brought down by Ukrainian air defense forces. The Ukrainian air force spokesperson, Yuriy Ignat, openly admitted this fact, emphasizing the serious danger posed by Kh22 missiles to Ukraine. In its coverage last December, Moscow s media TASS reported that Ignat highlighted the technical hurdles posed by the Kh22 missile, underlining the need for specialized means of interception. The missile s speed and trajectory pose a significant challenge for traditional
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