The U.S. defense officials claim that the missile Russia used in its recent attack on Ukraine was not ‘new’ or a hypersonic missile as the Russian Defense Ministry asserted. This statement contradicts the claims of Russia launching one of its Kinzhal (“dagger”) hypersonic missiles, which can evade defensive systems due to their speed and maneuverability.
The defense officials did not offer specifics on what type of missile was used. They also did not give detailed explanations on how they had arrived at their result, which is typically a closely held secret. This information was shared on conditions of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
The missile strike resulted in damage to the Yavoriv International Center for Peacekeeping and Security, a training base located about 18 miles from the Polish border. Despite this, the U.S. officials insisted the weapon was not hypersonic.
This incident piles more tension on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and further reveals the ongoing misinformation warfare between Russia and NATO allies. The truth about the missile type may remain unclear, however what’s clear is the ongoing need for accurate intelligence in a time of war. The discrepancy in reports regarding the missile also highlights the challenging geopolitical landscape. Additionally, it brings the focus back to hypersonic missiles, their potential use in modern warfare, and the need for defenses to counter this technology.
