Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to see the deployment of advanced weaponry, with Moscow claiming technological superiority.
On November 21, 2024, Russia struck the city of Dnipro with a hypersonic missile. President Vladimir Putin called it “invincible” and claimed it was impossible to intercept.
However, these statements are now under scrutiny. A military expert has exposed significant flaws in Putin’s claims, according to Ziare.
Ukraine identified the weapon as an intermediate-range ballistic missile launched from a Kedr system. This type of missile had never been used against Ukraine before.
Putin’s description of the missile as unstoppable was challenged by Fabian Hoffmann, a military analyst with the Oslo Nuclear Project.
Upgrades to Existing Missiles
Hoffmann pointed out that several missile defense systems, such as SM-3 and Aegis Ashore from the U.S. or Israel’s Arrow 3, could intercept this kind of weapon.
He emphasized that while these defenses are effective, deploying enough interceptors to counter large-scale attacks could prove costly and complex.
The attack on Dnipro raised alarm, prompting Ukraine to push for more advanced air defense systems. Reports suggest that Kyiv is in discussions with Washington to acquire such systems.
They are considering either upgrades to their existing Patriot missile systems or purchasing THAAD, a cutting-edge system designed for high-altitude interceptions.
Russia’s missile strike also put a spotlight on the Kedr launch system, which was reportedly used in the attack. This advanced platform had not been previously deployed in the conflict.
The move signals Moscow’s willingness to escalate its military operations, even as its claims about the missile’s capabilities come into question.
Meanwhile, Putin continues to tout the missile’s performance. He announced plans to mass-produce the weapon, maintaining his assertion that it cannot be intercepted.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has responded by promising to develop new air defense strategies to meet emerging threats.
American military experts also weighed in on the missile’s classification. Retired Major General James Marks clarified that it was not an intercontinental ballistic missile, which has a far greater range.
Instead, this was an intermediate-range missile capable of hitting targets up to 5,000 kilometers away.
