Russian forces have equipped Iskander ballistic missiles with new guidance systems that allow them to adjust their course in flight.
According to The Telegraph, this technology has already been used during strikes on bridges in Kyiv.
As the newspaper reports, the upgraded missiles have received optical and radar homing seekers. They scan the terrain a few seconds before the warhead detonates and allow the missiles to change direction in the final phase of flight.
According to Ukrainian presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov, the new systems provide accuracy within a few metres. They were used, in particular, during recent attacks on bridges in Kyiv.
As a result of the strikes, transport links between the right and left banks of the capital were disrupted. Last week, four ballistic missiles hit the Northern Bridge in a single night.
The newspaper notes that over several weeks Russia tried to damage eight of the capital’s main bridges using jet-powered drones, and later began employing ballistic missiles.
Mauro Gilli, Professor of Military Strategy and Technology at the Hertie School in Berlin, explained that the new system could eliminate one of the main characteristics of ballistic missiles—in-flight error. Previously, in the final stage the trajectory of such missiles largely depended on gravity, but now they can correct their direction.
At the same time, he stressed that Russian attacks have not been able to destroy Kyiv’s bridges, and doing so will likely be difficult. However, the strikes have already caused disruptions to transport links, complicated the operation of public transport and led to prolonged traffic jams.
In addition to bridges, Russia continues to attack energy infrastructure. According to Maksym Beznosiuk of the GLOBSEC think tank, Moscow is trying to split Ukraine’s power system into isolated sections along the Dnipro so they cannot redistribute electricity between regions.
- Earlier, the UN emphasised that Russia is stepping up attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure in order to trigger a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.