Media: Russian missile upgrades render Ukrainian defences less effective

Ukrainian officials have admitted that recent upgrades to Russian missile systems are significantly undermining Western-supplied air defences, including the Patriot missile system, a recent article published in the Express Daily notes.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has launched a variety of long-range missiles into Ukrainian cities, inflicting heavy losses. Initially, Ukraine was able to mitigate the impact of these attacks through early-warning systems, electronic warfare, and counterstrikes on Russian launch platforms.

In early 2023, Patriot missile batteries were delivered to Ukraine. These mobile surface-to-air launchers had been highly effective in intercepting Russian missiles, prompting repeated appeals from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for additional units.

However, according to Ukrainian sources cited by the Financial Times, Russia has upgraded its Iskander-M mobile system, with a 310-mile range, and the Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile, which has a 298-mile range. These modifications appear designed to deceive Patriot systems, including altering missile trajectories and performing steep dives over targets, a former Ukrainian official described as a “game-changer.”

The impact is clear in recent figures. Ukraine’s missile interception rate rose to 37 per cent in August, but dropped sharply to 6 per cent in September following the deployment of Russia’s upgraded missiles.

A Western official monitoring Patriot performance noted a pattern of changed behaviour in the missiles’ terminal phase, while missile researcher Fabian Hoffmann of the University of Oslo highlighted that Russia appears to have used interception data to refine their missiles’ software and improve effectiveness.

The development underscores Russia’s ability to adapt its tactics and technology, raising concerns for NATO countries that rely on Patriot systems for missile defence.

Despite the setback, Ukraine has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to adapt to evolving threats throughout the conflict, which has now lasted more than three years and seven months.

By Tamilla Hasanova