Latest news with #Iskander
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Drapatyi made Commander of Joint Forces after submitting resignation over Russian strike on Ukrainian training camp
Mykhailo Drapatyi has been appointed Commander of the Joint Forces after submitting his resignation as Ground Forces Commander, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 3. Drapatyi resigned from his previous role on June 1 following a deadly Russian missile strike that killed at least 12 Ukrainian soldiers at a training camp in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast earlier that day. He was then summoned to a meeting with Zelensky on June 3. "I explained to the president the reasons for my decision (to resign). The president heard me, supported me, and suggested that we focus on the main issues — the war, the front line, and victory," Drapatyi wrote on Telegram. The commander also emphasized the need to change the culture of commanders' attitudes toward their soldiers, the performance of their duties, and the value of the life of every Ukrainian soldier. "I received a task from the president. I am staying in the ranks, on the front line. Where I have to be, where I can do the most," Drapatyi said. During his evening address, Zelensky said that Drapatyi would be appointed Commander of the Joint Forces and focus "exclusively on combat issues." The Russian strike in question hit the 239th Polygon, a Ground Forces training ground north of the city of Dnipro, on June 1. Drapatyi, confirming the location and when announcing his resignation, said the victims were mostly young recruits who "should have learned, lived, and fought — not died." The attack killed 12 people and injured more than 60 others, according to the Ground Forces press office. The Ground Forces said that if the investigation finds negligence or misconduct contributed to the casualties, those responsible will face strict accountability. Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian training sites have intensified in recent months. The 239th Polygon was also struck by an Iskander missile in March. Russia had previously attacked Ukrainian training grounds several times when Ukrainian soldiers were lining up to be awarded for their service. The attacks, which resulted in heavy casualties, provoked criticism of the top military leadership, which allowed negligence at military facilities. Read also: As Ukraine's fate hangs in the balance, 'Soviet' command culture damages war effort We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Exclusive: Russia's ballistic missile production up at least 66% over past year, according to Ukrainian intel figures
Russia's production of ballistic missiles has increased by at least 66% over the past year, according to data from Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) shared with the Kyiv Independent. According to data obtained by HUR, Moscow is now producing 60 to 70 Iskander-M — the ballistic version of the missile — and 10 to 15 hypersonic Kinzhals per month. This compares to a reported 40 Iskander-Ms in May 2024, and a reported 4–5 Kinzhals in April 2024. At the lower range, this is an increase in production of 66.67%. At the higher range, 88.89%. Ballistic attacks on Ukraine have become more deadly in recent months as stockpiles of air defense missiles, particularly for U.S.-made Patriots, have dwindled. The figures shared with the Kyiv Independent show Russian stockpiles of "almost 600 Iskander-Ms" and "over 100" Kinzhals. At the end of 2022, Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov claimed Russia was almost out of Iskander ballistic missiles. By December 2024, HUR spokesperson Andriy Yusov noted that Russia had increased production to somewhere between 40 and 50 Iskander missiles per month. Russia's expanded production is a cause for alarm in Ukraine. If HUR's figures are correct, Russia's production of ballistic missiles today outnumbers total production of PAC-3 MSE missiles for Patriot air defense systems, the preferred anti-ballistic defenses for much of Europe, which Lockheed Martin hopes to boost to 650 per year by 2027. Other Western systems like the SAMP/T and IRIS-T have not proved effective against ballistic missiles. Russia has moreover reportedly outfitted the newest Iskanders with radar decoys and less predictable flight paths, making them harder to shoot down even with Patriot systems. Ukraine's military intelligence has also estimated that Russia is holding a stockpile of 60 North Korean KN-23s. These missiles are similar to the Iskander-Ms, but carry a one-ton warhead, more powerful than their Russian equivalents. The figures shared with the Kyiv Independent further show that total production for cruise missiles has also continued to grow. Russia can produce 20 to 30 Iskander-Ks, 60 to 70 X-101s, 25 to 30 Kalibrs, up to 10 X-32s and 20-30 Onyx and Zircon anti-ship missiles. A massive Ukrainian attack on Russian airfields on June 1 may have restricted Russia's ability to launch several of these cruise missiles. Tu-95M3s often carry Kh-55/Kh-555 or the newer Kh-101 and Kh-102 air-launched cruise missiles. The Tu-22 carries the Kh-22 of these types of aircraft are among those reported to have been damaged in Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb. During wartime, Ukraine has also built out its production of its own cruise and ballistic missiles. But large-scale production of types of missiles depend on major industrial zones that often fall victim to Russian air strikes — particularly when limited air defenses are being rationed. Read also: Russia's Crimean Bridge rocked by explosions, Ukraine's SBU claims responsibilityWe've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Zelensky summons Drapatyi, who submitted resignation over Russian strike on Ukrainian training camp
President Volodymyr Zelensky has summoned Land Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi for a high-level meeting after the latter submitted his resignation following a deadly Russian missile strike that killed at least 12 Ukrainian soldiers at a training camp in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Zelensky said on June 1. The meeting, scheduled following peace talks with a Russian delegation in Istanbul on June 2, will include top military officials: Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. "I scheduled a meeting... to sort it all out," Zelensky said in a video address. "All our combat soldiers are needed at the front — to defend Ukraine. Every one of them. And we must protect every life. All decisions necessary to ensure this will be made." The strike hit the 239th Polygon, a Ground Forces training ground north of the city of Dnipro. Drapatyi, confirming the location and announcing his resignation, said the victims were mostly young recruits who "should have learned, lived, and fought — not died." Drapatyi's superiors have yet to confirm whether his resignation has been accepted. Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian training sites have intensified in recent months. The 239th Polygon was also struck by an Iskander missile in March. The Land Forces press office said that if the investigation finds negligence or misconduct contributed to the casualties, those responsible will face strict accountability. Read also: 12 Ukrainian soldiers dead, 60 injured after Russian missile strike on training center We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
How Russia's Iskander, Which Outsmarted US Patriot In Ukraine, Compares To BrahMos
Last Updated: India's BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile developed jointly with Russia, while the Iskander is a tactical ballistic missile with different design and operational roles In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia's recent use of Iskander missiles has drawn international attention after they reportedly bypassed the US-made Patriot defence system and struck their targets with precision. Reports indicate that the missile strikes came in retaliation to a Ukrainian drone attack and have raised fresh concerns in the United States over the evolving capabilities of Russian weaponry. According to defence experts, the Patriot defence system is comparable to the Russian-made S-400, which is currently in use by India. In the latest strike, Russia claims to have destroyed Ukrainian drone launchers. The Russian Iskander missile, officially known as the 9K720 Iskander, is a highly advanced tactical ballistic missile system designed for short-to medium-range precision strikes. With a speed of 6 to 7 Mach and an accuracy of 5 to 7 meters, it falls under the hypersonic class of missiles. The Iskander has a range of 500 to 1,000 kilometers and was inducted into the Russian military in 2006. The Iskander system uses ground-to-ground missiles capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. Its most advanced variant, the Iskander-M, is specifically designed to meet the demands of modern warfare. With a range of 50 to 500 kilometers, it can effectively target military bases, command centers and air defense systems. Its key strengths lie in its mobility, precision and radar-evading capabilities. Deployed on a mobile launcher, the system is easy to relocate and can be rapidly deployed across different terrains. The Iskander missile system is renowned for its speed, precision, and radar-evading capabilities. The system follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory, allowing the missile to perform unpredictable maneuvers mid-flight, which makes interception extremely difficult. The advanced Iskander-M variant further enhances its survivability by deploying radar decoys that confuse enemy air defense systems. Did The Iskander Break Through US Patriot Defence System? During the ongoing Ukraine conflict, Russia claimed that its Iskander-M missile effectively challenged the US-made Patriot air defence system (MIM-104 Patriot). In May 2025, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuri Ihnat acknowledged that the Iskander-M possesses several advanced features—such as radar decoys and a quasi-ballistic trajectory—that make it a difficult target for the Patriot system. The decoys are designed to mislead radar tracking, while the missile's unpredictable flight path complicates the software-based interception calculations of the Patriot. Comparison With BrahMos India's BrahMos missile system is a supersonic cruise missile developed through a joint venture between India and Russia, whereas the Iskander is a tactical ballistic missile. While both are advanced and powerful in their respective categories, they differ significantly in design, function, and purpose. They can be compared on the following key parameters: Speed And Trajectory: BrahMos flies at a speed of 2.8 to 3.0 Mach, classifying it as a supersonic missile, while the Iskander reaches hypersonic speeds of 6 to 7 Mach. BrahMos follows a low-altitude, sea-skimming or straight flight path. In contrast, the Iskander follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory. Range: BrahMos has a range of 290 to 800 km, with extended-range variants like the BrahMos-ER offering greater reach. The Iskander has a more limited range of up to 500 km, but its hypersonic speed enables it to strike targets with exceptional speed. Target And Use: BrahMos is primarily designed for precision strikes against ships and land-based targets. It is a versatile missile that can be launched from land, sea, air and submarines. The Iskander, on the other hand, is a tactical ballistic missile intended mainly for destroying high-value military targets and air defense systems. Radar Evasion: BrahMos features a low radar cross-section (RCS) and incorporates stealth technology to help it evade enemy radar detection. In contrast, the Iskander relies on radar decoys and unpredictable flight maneuvers. Use In War: BrahMos was recently deployed in the military conflict between India and Pakistan, demonstrating its effectiveness by penetrating Pakistan's HQ-9B air defense system. The Iskander has also challenged the US-made Patriot system in Ukraine, though complete details about its impact remain unclear. Overall, the Iskander missile system symbolises Russia's strategic strength, renowned for its hypersonic speed, precision, and radar-evasion capabilities. While it has exposed limitations in the Patriot system during the Ukraine conflict, claims of completely defeating it remain controversial. In contrast, the BrahMos stands as a prime example of India's supersonic cruise missile technology, celebrated for its versatility and accuracy. First Published: June 02, 2025, 12:34 IST News india How Russia's Iskander, Which Outsmarted US Patriot In Ukraine, Compares To BrahMos | Explained
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Russia shatters drone record, launches 472 UAVs at Ukraine night before Kyiv's strike on Russian airfields
Russia launched a record number of drones at Ukraine in a mass overnight aerial attack, Ukraine's Air Force reported the morning of June 1. Russia attacked Ukraine during the night with 472 Shahed-type attack drones, breaking its previous record — set just last week on May 26 — by over 100 drones. In addition to nearly 500 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Moscow also targeted Ukraine with three Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and four Kh-101, Iskander-K air and ground-based cruise missiles, the Air Force said. Ukrainian air defense units shot down 210 drones, while another 172 were suppressed by electronic warfare, according to the Air Force. Russian drones were intercepted in 18 different locations across the country. The record-shattering drone attack came on the eve of Ukraine's "Operation Spider Web" — a major strike on Russia's military airfields coordinated by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU). The operation hit 41 Russian bombers at four airfields, according to the SBU. The attack, planned for over a year, involved smuggling first-person-view (FPV) drones deep into Russia. The operation caused approximately $7 billion in damages and disabled 34% of cruise missile carriers in key Russian air bases, the SBU reported. Ukraine's strike on Russia's military aircraft follows some of Moscow's heaviest aerial bombardments since the beginning of the full-scale war. For three nights in a row from May 24-26, Russia barraged Ukraine with drones and missiles, launching a record 298 drones on May 25 only to break the record with 355 the following night. The escalating attacks form the backdrop against which Ukrainian and Russian delegations prepare for their second round of direct peace talks, scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul. The Kremlin has claimed it will submit a memorandum outlining its ceasefire conditions during the meeting — though previous promises to present terms have been followed by weeks of delays. The first round of talks, held May 16, failed to produce any significant breakthroughs towards a peace settlement. Russia continues to reject calls for an unconditional ceasefire. Read also: 'Russian bombers are burning en masse' — Ukraine's SBU drones hit 'more than 40' aircraft in mass attack, source says We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
