Russian claims on Su‑34 missile launch face expert scrutiny
According to the Ukrainian agency Unian, the Russians reported using the Su-34 front-line bomber to launch the Kinzhal missile for the first time. However, aviation expert Konstantyn Krywolap stated in an interview with the Ukrainian Telegraf that this is impossible.
The Russians announced that, for the first time in combat conditions, the Su-34 bomber launched a Kinzhal missile towards Ukraine. Aviation expert Konstantyn Krywolap, in his conversation with Telegraf, expressed doubts about the feasibility of such an operation. He noted the missile's size, making it impossible to mount on the Su-34.
The expert doubts whether the Russians told the truth about the Su-34
Krywolap emphasized that the Kinzhal missile has a diameter of 1.2 metres, while the space between the Su-34's nacelles is approximately 2.1 metres. The expert points out that this is too little to accommodate the Kinzhal missile. It is also significant that the Kinzhal's wings could touch the ground, making the installation impossible.
The expert also noted that to launch a Kinzhal effectively, the aircraft must reach a speed of 3,000 km/h. Meanwhile, the Su-34, even at high altitudes, does not exceed speeds of 1,850-1,900 km/h. This is another argument against the Russians' claims.
- If it's still possible with FAB, it's impossible with the Kinzhal. Firstly, the wings would not fit in the nacelle, and secondly, they would touch the ground - Krywolap said about the missile, emphasizing that its dimensions are too large to be used with the Su-34.
Russian Kinzhals
Even though the combat value of Kinzhal missiles has been questioned since the beginning of the war, they remain a significant challenge to Ukraine's air defence. The Kinzhal is characterized by a length of 7 metres and weighing approximately 4,500 kg. Its speed is said to reach 10 Mach, although more realistic estimates suggest a speed of about 8 Mach, which translates to nearly 9,800 km/h. For this reason, this missile is considered one of the most dangerous weapons in Russia's arsenal.
