Russian Kh‑69 missile found near Kyiv prompts security concerns

In the vicinity of Kyiv, a recently discovered Russian Kh-69 cruise missile has fallen, reports the Military News UA profile on platform X. This weapon, known as the "Kremlin's secret missile," rarely appears in Ukraine, and finding its remains near Kyiv is among the first such incidents.

Ukrainians frequently encounter the wreckage of Russian missiles in their country, often shot down by anti-aircraft defence systems. Occasionally, Russian Federation missiles fall on their own due to malfunctions. Recently, defenders found, among others, a Kh-101 missile in one of Kyiv's ponds.

Now, near Kyiv again, another Russian weapon has been found. This time, Ukrainians report identifying a modern Kh-69 missile carried by an equally modern Su-57 fighter jet. This particular missile is rarely seen in Ukraine. This could be because the Kh-69 has only been in use recently. The Russians started bombing the defenders' country with it only in April 2024.

Let us recall that the Kh-69 was kept secret by the Russian Federation for a long time. This modern weapon was presented only during last year's Dubai Airshow. Until then, all information related to the development of the new missile was hidden from the public.

This secret Kremlin missile is often compared to the Western AGM-158 JASSM. This is because of the capabilities of the Russian weapon, which has been significantly improved compared to its predecessor, the Kh-59. The new Kh-69 weighs nearly 800 kilograms, of which approximately 300 kilograms is the warhead, and it can travel up to 550 kilometres after launching. It is also worth mentioning that the missile is difficult to detect, although it has quite large dimensions. It measures about 4.2 metres in length, 0.4 metres in diameter, and has a wingspan of about 2.4 metres. NPO Saturn TRDD-50 MT dual-flow engines provide the propulsion of this Russian weapon.

It is also worth noting that to launch the Kh-69, the Russians used an equally modern Su-57 fighter jet developed in response to the American F-22 Raptor. Development of this equipment began in the Russian Federation at the beginning of the 21st century, with the first flight taking place in 2010. However, large-scale production has not yet commenced as of 2024.

Nevertheless, it is currently one of the best aircraft used by the aggressor's army during the war in Ukraine. It accelerates to a speed of 2 Ma, which is about 2,400 kilometres per hour and has a range exceeding 3,500 kilometres, able to operate at an altitude of up to 19 kilometres. Its armament, including the mentioned Kh-69 and Kh-59 missiles, is carried on 12 weapon hardpoints (six outside and six inside). The built-in radar of the Su-57 allows it to detect hostile objects within a range of up to 400 kilometres.