Russian Missile Strategies and Platforms

Overview

This lecture covers recent Russian missile strategies against Ukraine, focusing on various missile platforms, their technical specifications, and operational tactics.

Russian Missile Platforms & Recent Attacks

• Russia responded to Ukrainian drone attacks by launching cruise missiles from the Tu-95 (Bear) bomber.
• Over 400 drones and 40 cruise missiles targeted Ukrainian cities, causing power and metro outages.
• Russian intelligence identifies 40 high-value targets in Ukraine, including infrastructure and energy systems.
• The Tu-95 bombers launch missiles from within Russian airspace or over the Caspian Sea to avoid Ukrainian defenses.

KH-101 and KH-55 Cruise Missiles

• The Tu-95 can carry 8 KH-101 and 6 KH-55 missiles, with KH-101 being larger, heavier, and longer-range.
• KH-101 has a range of up to 3,500 km and can carry a 400-450 kg warhead.
• KH-101 and KH-55 fly at low altitudes and use Russia's GLONASS satellite system for precise navigation.
• Missiles are often launched in coordinated salvos with Shahid 136 drones to overwhelm Ukrainian air defense.

Orishnik (Hazelnut) Ballistic Missile

• The Orishnik missile is hypersonic, difficult to intercept, and can penetrate advanced air defenses.
• It features a three-stage design with six warheads, each with its own engine (MIRV system).
• Weighs up to 50 tons and carries a 1.3-ton payload with a range of 4,000–6,000 km.
• Launched from a mobile 12x12 wheel platform using a cold launch system for stealth and launcher protection.
• The MIRV system allows multiple, independently targeted warheads for strategic impact.

Kinzhal (Dagger) Missile & MiG-31 Launch Platform

• Kinzhal is a semi-hypersonic missile launched from the MiG-31 Foxhound interceptor.
• MiG-31 can reach speeds of Mach 1.4, enabling rapid missile deployment.
• The missile may use various flight profiles to evade radar, including zigzag (maneuverable) or direct flight.
• Possible nuclear and conventional variants exist.

Missile & Re-entry Vehicle Design Features

• Re-entry vehicles have fuses and arming systems to detonate warheads at precise moments.
• Spin nozzles and spin gas generators enable precise maneuvering at high speeds.
• GLONASS antenna provides satellite-guided navigation for accuracy.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Tu-95 (Bear) — Russian long-range strategic bomber.
• KH-101/KH-55 — Russian long-range cruise missiles.
• GLONASS — Russian satellite navigation system.
• Orishnik (Hazelnut) — Russian hypersonic ballistic missile with MIRV capabilities.
• MIRV — Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicle; allows a single missile to carry multiple warheads.
• Cold Launch — Missile launch method using gas/explosive to eject before main engine ignites.
• Kinzhal — Russian air-launched hypersonic missile.
• MiG-31 Foxhound — Russian long-range interceptor aircraft.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review missile specifications and operational concepts.
• Prepare for questions on missile defense countermeasures and MIRV technology.
• Study diagrams of missile launch platforms and flight profiles if available.