Destroying Russian missile launchers extremely difficult, expert warns

Ukraine faces significant challenges in countering Russian ballistic missile attacks due to a global shortage of PAC-3 interceptors, according to presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov, who spoke to Ukrainian TV broadcasters on August 5. Beskrestnov emphasized the mobility of Iskander TELs (Transporter Erector Launchers), describing them as highly mobile as they traverse forest roads on wheeled chassis for about 3 to 5 hours to reach firing positions and avoid satellite detection.

Deployment and launch occur rapidly, with launchers departing their positions shortly after. Russian forces typically launch from around 140 to 150 kilometers from the border, beyond the effective range of Ukraine’s HIMARS rocket artillery, necessitating alternative strategies. Effective strikes on Iskanders require air reconnaissance and satellite imagery, a complex process.

According to Beskrestnov, capturing an Iskander on the move or at the deployment site is highly challenging. Destroying Iskander production facilities poses an additional difficulty, as they are believed to be located deep underground, making them hard to attack. Concerning sanctions, Beskrestnov stated that they are proving ineffective as Iskander missiles appear to be entirely made from Russian-sourced parts and electronics.

An expert in radio electronics, he identified old Soviet transistors and gold-plated microchips on Iskander missile remnants. On the same day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that international supplies of Patriot interceptors had dwindled to one-third of their levels in 2025.