UK intel: Russia removing nuclear warheads from ageing missiles, firing unarmed munitions at Ukraine

Russia is likely removing the nuclear warheads from ageing nuclear cruise missiles and firing the unarmed munitions at Ukraine.

Open source imagery shows wreckage of an apparently shot-down AS-15 KENT air launched cruise missile (ALCM) designed in 1980s exclusively as a nuclear delivery system.

The warhead had probably been substituted for ballast, Caliber.Az reports citing the Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine of UK’s Defence Ministry.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 26 November 2022

Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/htZ2ZsfvmF

🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/RZ6by8tN5p

— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) November 26, 2022

Although such an inert system will still produce some damage through the missile’s kinetic energy and any unspent fuel, it is unlikely to achieve reliable effects against intended targets.

Russia almost certainly hopes such missiles will function as decoys and divert Ukrainian air defences.

Whatever Russia’s intent, this improvisation highlights the level of depletion in Russia’s stock of long-range missiles.