Russia's hypersonic missile strike on Ukraine: A desperate escalation
Russia launched an intercontinental ballistic missile towards Ukraine for the first time. The missile landed near the city of Dnipro. Experienced Polish General Mieczysław Bieniek states that "it's an act of desperation on Russia's part." He also explains why the missile was not intercepted.
The intercontinental ballistic missile was launched during Thursday's shelling of Ukraine (November 22). Vladimir Putin noted that it is the Oresznik hypersonic medium-range missile — a new production by the Russian military.
Former Ukrainian Nuclear Safety Minister Yuriy Kostenko explained that this missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads and 1,500 kilograms of explosives. The missile's range is about 5,955 kilometres.
The attack was an expected response to Ukraine's use of Western ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles. Despite this, Gen. Mieczysław Bieniek believes the attack reveals the level of desperation from the Kremlin.
It was an act of desperation on Russia's part - says Gen. Bieniek in a conversation with "Fakt".
Enormous capabilities of the launched missile. Why wasn't it shot down?
Detecting and shooting down this type of missile can be problematic. Gen. Bieniek points out that the missiles are launched into the stratosphere. They also travel at high speeds.
It can carry up to 1,500 kilograms of explosives, weighing three times as much as Iskanders. Apparently, the anti-aircraft systems Ukraine possesses were not able to detect and destroy it. The preparation and launch of a ballistic missile are monitored by reconnaissance satellites in space, but you also need an appropriate effector, something to counter the missile. And Ukraine apparently does not have this. Or if it does, it was ineffective in taking down the missile - explains Gen. Bieniek in a conversation with "Fakt".
The military official noted that the technological capabilities for detecting and shooting down ballistic missiles are possessed by NATO.
