In a striking turn of events, Ukraine's relentless push into Russian territory, particularly in the Kursk region, has forced Moscow to employ extreme measures.
Significant Distress
According to Tech in an effort to halt the Ukrainian advance, Russian forces have resorted to launching their highly expensive and sophisticated Iskander missiles—at their own territory.
Over the past several days, Ukrainian forces have made significant inroads into the Kursk region, causing significant distress within the Russian military.
Unable to effectively counter the Ukrainian offensive, the Russian army has reportedly begun withdrawing convoys, suffering substantial losses in both equipment and personnel.
A Desperate Action
In a desperate bid to stop the Ukrainian advance from a safe distance, Russia has turned to its prized Iskander missiles, each costing around $3 million. These missiles, typically reserved for high-value targets, are now being fired at Russian soil, creating a new and dangerous threat to the civilian population.
What’s more concerning is that these missiles are armed with cluster warheads, which disperse smaller submunitions over a wide area. Some of these submunitions may fail to detonate, turning the affected regions into hazardous zones filled with "ticking time bombs."
The Iskander missiles, which are increasingly scarce, are a vital part of Russia's arsenal due to their high speed and precision. With a range of up to 500 kilometers and a top speed of 7 Mach (around 8,600 km/h), these missiles are notoriously difficult to intercept.
Despite their effectiveness, Russia’s dwindling stockpile — estimated at just 40 new missiles annually — raises questions about the sustainability of such a strategy in the long term.
