Russia failed to modernize Kh-101 cruise air missiles and didn’t manage to make a massive breakthrough in the Ukrainian air defense.

This was announced by the representative of the Center for Research of Captured and Advanced Weapons and Military Equipment, Colonel Mykola Danyliuk.

In particular, he demonstrated fragments of a new generation Kh-101 cruise missile, which was found near the village of Malyutyanka in the Kyiv region. Traces of the attempts to modernize the electro-optical guidance system were clearly visible on the fragments.

“This modification appeared at the end of last fall. This indicates that already in that period of time, the Russian Armed Forces faced the problem with the accuracy of striking this type of cruise missile,” the officer said.

According to Danyliuk, the cost of such a missile is about $12 million, and the reserves of these weapons in Russia have significantly decreased. During the latest attacks, in particular on February 10, the invaders used missiles produced this year.

To improve accuracy, the Russians changed the missile guidance system, installing a new optical guidance unit. The old version of the missile had one lens placed in a swivel mechanism with corners up to 10 degrees.

The main difference between the new Kh-101 guidance system is three fixed lenses (photo on the right).

The BAGET-64-04 type computer on missiles has also been altered. Some components and chips were replaced with alternatives from other manufacturers. Since these solutions did not improve the operation capabilities of the missile, that may suppose another reason for the modernization — an import substitution declared by Russia. All this indicates the dependence of the Russian defense industry complex on foreign components.

Earlier, the Ukrainian Defence Intelligence published a report in which it named companies that produce microelectronics for the Russian Federation, including for Kh-101 missiles. A similar study was also published by experts from Conflict Armament Research.

The upgraded missile was also for the first time supplemented with an L-504 countermeasure unit, which is equipped with chaffs. During firing, such cartridges create a cloud that should make it difficult to point missiles with an active radar homing head.

Presumably, a system of sensors is also integrated on board of the missile, which, in the case of electronic radiation by aircraft or ground radars, should automatically activate the L-504 units for shooting interference.

“According to their plan, this allows cruise missiles to break through our air defense and achieve their goals. However, studies and statistics of the work of Ukrainian air defense systems showed that the latest modernization of the Kh-101 cruise missile did not meet the expectations of the aggressor country. A massive breakthrough of the air defense system is not being carried out, and Russian missiles are increasingly falling on the territory of the Russian Federation, without reaching Ukraine,” Danyliuk said.

The representative of the General Staff also did not rule out the appearance of new modifications of missiles and technical solutions in the invaders, which will be aimed at improving the accuracy and lethality of Russian missiles. At the same time, he noted that without foreign components, Russia would not be able to produce its missiles.