Russia carried out another large-scale missile strike against Ukraine overnight on October 3, employing a new tactic that relied heavily on ground-launched cruise missiles from the Iskander system rather than its usual air- or sea-launched weapons, according to a report from the Air Force of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Air Force said that during the assault, Russia launched 21 cruise missiles from the 9M727/729 Iskander-K complex alongside seven ballistic Iskander-M missiles. This represents a rare departure from Moscow’s usual approach, which typically involves Kh-101 air-launched cruise missiles and Kalibr missiles launched from ships and submarines.
The primary targets of the overnight barrage were critical infrastructure sites in Kharkiv and Poltava regions, particularly those connected to the country’s energy sector. The attack caused power outages and damage in several areas, though Ukrainian officials are still assessing the full extent of the impact.
According to the Air Force, Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 12 of the 21 Iskander-K cruise missiles. The relatively low interception rate highlights the challenge of countering this class of missile, which flies at low altitude and follows unpredictable flight paths designed to evade radar detection and missile defenses.
The 9M727 missile, one of three missile types used by the Iskander short-range missile system, is commonly referred to as the Iskander-K or R-500. It is believed to be a ground-launched variant of the 3M-14 Kalibr missile, adapted to provide similar range and precision capabilities from land-based platforms. Together with the 9M728 and 9M729 variants, it forms part of the Iskander’s versatile missile family, capable of delivering conventional or potentially nuclear payloads against strategic targets.
Ukraine’s air defense units continue to adapt to Russia’s evolving missile tactics, which have shifted repeatedly over the course of the war. Early in the full-scale invasion, Russia relied heavily on ballistic missiles and air-launched cruise missiles. Over time, however, its forces have diversified their approach, using a mix of ballistic, cruise, and even hypersonic weapons — often in coordinated waves — to complicate Ukrainian defensive efforts.
The latest strike shows a growing emphasis on the Iskander system’s versatility and survivability. By using ground-launched cruise missiles in combination with ballistic ones, Russia can launch attacks from closer proximity, reducing warning times and increasing the likelihood of penetrating Ukrainian defenses.
Despite the destruction caused by the overnight attack, Ukrainian officials emphasized that air defenses prevented a potentially more devastating outcome. The interception of more than half of the Iskander-K missiles demonstrates the continued effectiveness of Ukraine’s layered defense network, even against evolving threats.