The Ukrainian Air Forces have reported successfully neutralizing a barrage of Russian ‘hypersonic’ missiles, countering a replicated assault by the aggressor early on January 2nd.
As per the Ukrainian Air Force statement, the interception shot down all Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles launched from MiG-31K aircraft.
The targets of this assault encompassed crucial infrastructure, industrial, civilian, and military sites, with the primary focus aimed at the capital city of Ukraine.
“At 07:30, launches of ten aeroballistic missiles X-47M2 ‘Kinzhal’ from MiG-31K fighters were detected,” the statement read.
All ten missiles were reported successfully neutralized in the defensive action. Additionally, the interception also accounted for the destruction of 59 cruise missiles of the Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 types, along with three Kalibr cruise missiles.
The Kh-47M2 “Kinzhal” is a Russian hypersonic aviation missile complex. In terms of dimensions and appearance, the missile of the “Kinzhal” complex resembles ballistic missiles of the Iskander missile system. The maximum claimed speed of the missile is 10 Mach. It is carried by the modified interceptor aircraft MiG-31K, which is capable of carrying one missile and striking targets at distances up to 2000 kilometers.
This advanced missile complex represents a formidable threat due to its high-speed capabilities, allowing it to travel at speeds beyond Mach 10, rendering interception and defense exceedingly challenging for conventional air defense systems.