Experts explain whether the X-35U missile is capable of reaching Kyiv
The day before, the Center for National Resistance published a report on the redeployment of the Bal division of complexes from the Krasnodar Territory to the Bryansk Region. These systems are designed to strike enemy ships with X-35U missiles.
Initially, the range of the X-35U was 260 km. Two years ago, the missile was improved. During the modernization, its flight range was allegedly increased to 500 km. The designers installed a more advanced guidance system in the X-35U, which made the missile suitable for striking targets on the ground.
According to Defense Express, Bal systems were already used by the occupiers to shell Odesa and Mykolaiv last year. They used the X-35U missiles, as well as the X-22. Simply put, the X-35Us were aimed at radio-contrast targets. This method of targeting is characterized by low hit accuracy.
The weight of the missile is 670 kg, 145 kg of which is accounted for by the warhead. The fuselage of the X-35U is 5 meters long. In the air, the missile travels at subsonic speed. Theoretically, Ukrainian air defense is capable of intercepting anti-ship missiles. In practice, this may be problematic due to the small size of the X-35U. For comparison, the Kalibr is 6.2 meters long, and the X-101 is 7.45 meters long.
Apparently, the decision to use the Bal systems to strike Ukrainian settlements was made by the top military leadership of the Russian Federation due to a situational shortage of cruise missiles. The transfer of the complexes to Bryansk region may indicate that the strikes will be aimed at Kyiv.
The division consists of four launchers with 8 missiles each. Thus, its total salvo amounted to 32 missiles. According to experts, the claimed range of 500 km is overstated. She was named a propagandist in 2021. Later, they “cut the sturgeon” to 300 kilometers.
