Forbes calculated how many missiles remained in Russia and how long the bombing could last
Since the beginning of the war, Russia has launched about 3,000 missiles on the territory of Ukraine, including the old Soviet X-22, which wiped out many residential buildings, civil and military infrastructure buildings. Using such in urban development is a war crime because they are so inaccurate that it is almost impossible to avoid casualties among the civilian population.
However, the Russian Federation still has a lot of such deadly weapons – more than 2,000 of them, which can last the enemy for several more months of destruction. Such figures called by Forbes.
What missiles does Russia have?
In total, the Russian Federation had almost 7,000 medium- and short-range missiles (up to 5,500 km) at the beginning of the war. Almost half of them are low-precision X-22, X-55, “Point-U” complexes.
At the first stage of the invasion, the aggressor country mostly used Kalibr-type sea-based missiles and Iskander complexes. Less – the Kh-101 missile, and several times announced the use of its latest development – the Kh-47 Dagger.
“Since Russia did not count on a long war, it actively used these missiles, although their stock was not too large (2,000-3,000 units). In May, the first reports appeared that the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation was beginning to look for missiles “on the side” – in China, North Korea and other dictatorial countries,” the article says.
Around this time, information spread about the first use of X-59 missiles by the occupiers – they are old, from the 80s, but quite accurate. The circular possible deviation is indicated as less than 10 m, but Russia, like the USSR, tends to exaggerate the real accuracy of its weapons.
Russia fired more than 3,000 missiles at Ukraine
Experts call the short range of the X-59 – less than 300 km. That is, this missile can be used only in the border areas or in the area of the Black Sea coast. It also carries the smallest charge (up to 300 kg) and cannot destroy a large object.
The Soviet X-55 and their more modern modification X-555 became an alternative to “Caliber” at a longer distance. But even these missiles, experts emphasize, can no longer be called highly accurate. For them, the circular deviation is 20-100 m.
Ukraine also confirmed the use of “Point-U” complexes by Russia, which were officially removed from the armament of its army. The Kremlin even for some time denied the use of these operational-tactical missile systems (OTRK).
Missiles that Russia launches over Ukraine
The Russian “Point-U” is a weapon of mass destruction. It is capable of hitting manpower on an area of up to 30 hectares, depending on the type of warhead. In addition, the deviation of the missile can be up to 250 m.
In addition, the missiles for these complexes are usually very old and there is a high risk that they will not hit the target at all. That is, it is a very indiscriminate weapon that causes destruction on a large area.
“The Armed Forces also use U-points, but for them they choose large targets, at a considerable distance from civilian infrastructure. For example, ammunition depots of the occupiers,” experts explained.
How many missiles are left in the Russian Federation?
Russia has already used about 3,000 missiles to attack Ukraine, although it is difficult to say exactly which ones. Most likely, the occupiers have few Kalibr and Iskander missiles left. This was confirmed by the fact that Russia is hitting Ukrainian territory not only with old and cheap missiles, but also with new and expensive ones. For example, it uses P-800 “Onyx” anti-ship missiles, costing more than $1 million per unit.
Missiles that are in service in the army of the Russian Federation
In addition to being expensive, these missiles are also designed for completely different purposes. Their use against ground objects shows that the Russian Federation lacks cheaper missiles with the necessary accuracy. Or the aggressor country does not have time to deliver “Caliber” to the Black Sea and Caspian fleets (from where they can reach the territory of Ukraine).
“If the Russians really run out of Kh-101, Kalibri and long-range missiles of the Iskander complexes, then only the old Kh-55 and Kh-22 with a range of more than 500 km remain. But the bad news is that there are more than 2,000 of these missiles, and they may be enough for several more months of bombing. And their inaccuracy may lead to dire consequences,” state military experts.
