Russia has changed the trajectory of ballistic missiles to complicate their interception by American Patriot systems, writes the Financial Times. This is evidenced by the devastating strikes of recent months.
Russia has apparently modified its missile systems to more effectively overcome Ukrainian air defense provided by American Patriot systems, the British newspaper Financial Times (FT) reported on Thursday, October 2, citing sources among Ukrainian and Western officials. A striking example of the results of this modernization has been the devastating Russian strikes on Ukrainian drone manufacturing plants that have occurred in recent months.
This summer, at least four drone manufacturing plants in Kyiv and its surroundings were severely damaged. In particular, on August 28, a strike was carried out on a facility that produces Turkish Bayraktar drones. According to two officials interviewed by FT, two more missiles were likely aimed at the offices of a company involved in the development and production of drone components. They bypassed Ukrainian air defense and, among other things, damaged nearby offices of the EU representation and the British Council.
The flight trajectory of Russian missiles has changed
According to estimates from the publication's sources, Russia has modernized the mobile Iskander-M missile system, which launches missiles with a range of up to 500 km, as well as the Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles capable of hitting targets at distances of up to 480 km. Now, the missiles initially follow a conventional trajectory and then sharply change course and perform steep diving maneuvers or maneuvers that allow them to evade interception by the Patriot system.
One of FT's sources, a former Ukrainian official, stated that there has been a "turning point in favor of Russia," also recalling delays in the transfer of interceptor missiles for the Patriot system by the United States.
The interception rate of ballistic missiles has dropped to 6%
The Financial Times notes that while in July the Armed Forces of Ukraine managed to intercept 37% of Russian ballistic missiles, this figure dropped to 6% in September, even though Russia reduced the number of missile launches. On October 1, the Air Force of Ukraine stated that all four Russian Iskander-M missiles launched at night were missed by Ukrainian air defense and hit their targets.
As FT points out, the Patriot systems are the only air defense system in service with Ukraine capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles. Russian cruise missiles can be shot down by less advanced systems, but their modernization has also complicated interception, the newspaper's sources further noted.
